About Us

Locks for Cancer is a group of students that motivates and inspires others to become activists in the movement of donating hair for cancer patients.

By organizing events and awareness campaigns, we emphasize the harsh reality of cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy and lose their hair, a luxury we often take for granted.

Consequently, Locks for Cancer is an invaluable contributor to the efforts of the Canadian Cancer Society by supplying hair donated with love, sacrifice and altruism.

As a whole, our group works towards mentoring and educating students on the experience and processes of donating hair and its powerfully rewarding results.

Hair Donation Events:

Due to COVID-19, all 2020 (and likely 2021) Locks for Cancer events have been cancelled.

We hope everyone stays safe and healthy in these difficult times.

If you would still like to donate your hair please email Locksforcancer@gmail.com and we will send you the information in order to do so.

Thank you and we are sorry for any inconvenience

In addition, we are teaming up with schools to have information sessions regarding hair donations, and we are able to collect the hair as well. Please let us know if you are interested in organizing this for your school!

Please click here to sign up to cut your hair at one of our events or to donate your hair directly without attending an event.

Our Sponsors

Co-Founders: Ruchira, Christina, and Maria at the Mississauga 2019 Hair Donation event

The Locks for Cancer founders and Mississauga mayor, Bonnie Crombie

The LFC 2018/19 team with the Mississauga Mayor, Bonnie Crombie at the Mayors New Year Levee

Our stories

Ruchira Gupta

Co-founder, President

Age: 18

At a young age, I had two friends who both lost their fathers due to cancer. After hearing their stories and seeing how my friends were impacted, I knew that I wanted to be part of the movement in eradicating cancer. At the age of 7, I started volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society by selling daffodils during Cancer Awareness Month. Interested in cancer research, I conducted an experiment on the effects of carcinogens and preventative measures on a strain of D. Melanogaster, but wanted to be able to have a more direct impact.

Maria, Christina and I had the idea to get our peers together to donate hair in support of cancer awareness and research. I've donated my hair 4 times and can't wait to see more people donate their hair this year! Let's fight cancer together!

Christina Mac

Co-founder

Age: 18

In 2015, my grade was assigned a research presentation about a charity. We had to present a pitch to a panel of teachers who decided which charity would receive a donation. My group decided to choose the Canadian Cancer Society due to our personal connections to cancer. Ever since that project, I've been interested and inspired by the goals and accomplishments of the Canadian Cancer Society and started donating my hair towards creating wigs for cancer patients. Fast forward to 2017, when my friend Ruchira noticed Maria's and I's long hair and pitched the idea to start Locks for Cancer, evidently we both jumped at the opportunity. Through support from our peers and family, we have continued to strive towards hosting this event in attempt raise awareness and involvement within the Mississauga community. We aspire to work together to help overcome cancer, a disease that has affected so many lives in so many ways. Please join us in this movement to spread awareness and positivity!

Maria Xiao

Co-founder

Age: 18

Although I have always had long hair, the thought of donating it never came to my mind. It wasn’t until my friend Ruchira bombarded me with text messages a week before my planned hair cutting appointment that I stepped into action. My own uncle was a victim of cancer, and I am therefore well-aware of the traumatic effects it has on a person’s life. The proposal of starting our own organization in the cause of hair donation immediately appealed to me and allowed me to realize ways in which I can be of help. By donating instead of letting it go to waste, my hair can be used to make wigs and bring joy to those who suffer from the side effects of cancer treatments. This is something that is within our power and I encourage all of you to join us on our journey!

Team Stories