Connecticut IB Academy Junior Naya Chae has been growing out her hair since 8th grade. Ever since her older sister, a former CIBA student, told her about the annual Strands of Hope hair donation event, Naya knew she wanted to be a part of it.
“I really wanted to donate, and you know, the longer, the better,” said Naya.
This May, she chopped off 15 inches of her hair to be donated and also stepped up to coordinate the annual event with fellow CIBA Junior Jayda McKerley. CIBA has been holding the Strands of Hope event for more than a decade.
“There’s not a lot I can do as a child, as a minor, but growing my hair is something that I can do and can help people that have hair loss, help them feel more confident,” said Naya. “I think it’s a really great event that CIBA has.”
The hair donations will be given to Children With Hair Loss, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss.
“I think it’s a really important event. When you go on the website of Children with Hair Loss, you see all the kids with smiles on their faces and their wigs, and so I think it’s important that we give back,” said Student Co-Coordinator Jayda McKerley.
Stylist Christina Forgetta, whose niece is a CIBA student, donated her time and services. Along with Naya, three other members of the CIBA community donated at least eight inches of their hair for the cause.
“It feels good,” said Junior Theresina Farrington, who donated her hair and said she’s had people in her life with medically-related hair loss. “It is something that I really care about.”
The CIBA community hopes to raise more awareness about the annual event and encourage people to grow their hair so they can donate to Strands of Hope in the future.