A doctor from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has donated 14 inches of her hair to charity.
Silvia Astefanei, who works across community mental health teams in Rochford and Southend, donated her hair to The Little Princess Trust, a charity that offers free wigs for children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.
This is the fourth time Silvia has donated her hair to such charities and the second donation she has made to The Little Princess Trust. Her hair will now be used to create a real hair wig for a young person fighting cancer or another serious health condition.
Silvia said: “I first donated to The Little Princess Trust two years ago – I was looking for charities that use hair donations for really worthy causes and came across this great charity.”
“I am lucky because my hair grows very quickly. Within the last two years, I grew enough hair to donate and still had enough left for a nice hairstyle.”
“When I had my hair cut this time around, my colleagues at EPUT noticed straight away and wanted to support The Little Princess Trust too. They joined the cause and together we raised £330 for the charity. Family and friends contributed as well.”
“It’s such a pity for hair to go to waste when it can be used for the greater good. I hope it gives a young person the strength to smile and spurs them on to make a speedy recovery.”
The money Silvia and her colleagues raised will contribute towards the creation and wig fitting for a young person, as well as support research into treatment for cancer and other illnesses impacting young people.
Silvia has already starting growing her hair to make another donation in the future.