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VIDEO: Irish Teenager donates hair to make a wig for Alopecia sufferer Keeva (8)

Patricia Murphy

Fiona Murphy has been growing her hair for over a year but unlike most dramatic haircuts, her thick red locks will not be heading for the bin.

The teenager (15) donated her ponytail to the Rapunzel Foundation, an Irish charity that supports alopecia sufferers like eight-year-old Keeva Murphy, who has struggled with the condition for over four years.

Fiona donated over 14inch of hair to help make a wig for Alopecia sufferer Keeva (8) Expand

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Fiona donated over 14inch of hair to help make a wig for Alopecia sufferer Keeva (8)

Fiona donated over 14inch of hair to help make a wig for Alopecia sufferer Keeva (8)

Fiona donated over 14inch of hair to help make a wig for Alopecia sufferer Keeva (8)

Keeva, from Mohill in Leitrim travelled to Dublin with her parents to watch Fiona donate over 14in of hair to be used in the making of a Freedom wig, which will be ready in time for her communion next year.

“I had really really long hair and some people have diseases that don’t allow them to have hair like mine, which is why I decided to give it away to someone that really wants it, like Keeva,” said Fiona, a fifth year student in Presentation Secondary School in Listowel Co Kerry.

“Meeting Keeva today just made it real. Building up to today, I just was thinking of it as a haircut. I think it’s a really great thing to do and I hope she likes my hair.”

The Rapunzel Foundation, set up in 2010, is one of the only support networks for children and families affected by alopecia in Ireland.

Keeva’s parents Debbie and Mark said that the charity has been a huge support to their family in dealing with Keeva’s condition.

“When my little girl Keeva began losing her hair, there wasn’t really a support or awareness for her condition at the time. I found out about Rapunzel on the internet and got in contact with Anna Furlong and it has been a godsend to us,” said Debbie.

“Just connecting with other parents and friends of friends has really helped us. Doing things like the mini marathon with other parents affected by this and being here for something like this today, really goes such a long way in helping children with alopecia.”

Fiona’s ponytail will be one of twelve used in the making of a Freedom wig which costs over €3000 to make. The specialised wigs connect to the scalp with a vacuum seal, allowing children to run about and even swim without the worry of the wig becoming dislodged.

Fiona Murphy and Keeva Murphy pictured in Vanilla hair salon in Rathmines. Expand

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Fiona Murphy and Keeva Murphy pictured in Vanilla hair salon in Rathmines.

Fiona Murphy and Keeva Murphy pictured in Vanilla hair salon in Rathmines.

Fiona Murphy and Keeva Murphy pictured in Vanilla hair salon in Rathmines.

“Keeva will be getting the wig for her communion next May so it will be an exciting time,” said Debbie.

“I think everybody in her class is more excited about seeing this wig coming than the dress and everything else that comes with it.”

Debbie revealed that the Freedom Wig will go a long way in improving Keeva’s self-esteem.

“It’s going to give her more confidence just to be the little girl she’s supposed to be. She should be enjoying her life and not worrying about everything that’s going on around her,” said Debbie.

Wexford-based hairdresser Anna Furlong founded the Rapunzel Foundation after meeting an inspiring mother and daughter, also affected by alopecia.

“A few years ago I met a very young girl, she was only six years of age, and she came to me to have her wig cut. I wasn’t aware that children so young could lose their hair,” said Anna.

Keeva Murphy (8) who suffers from Alopecia Areata is pictured with Fiona Murphy (15) who donated her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation, a charity which supports Irish children struggling with hair loss. Fiona’s ponytail will be one of 12 used in the making of a Freedom wig, which will be ready in time for Keeva’s communion in May 2015. Watch Keeva and Fiona’s meeting on www.independent.ie/rapunzel Expand

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Keeva Murphy (8) who suffers from Alopecia Areata is pictured with Fiona Murphy (15) who donated her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation, a charity which supports Irish children struggling with hair loss. Fiona’s ponytail will be one of 12 used in the making of a Freedom wig, which will be ready in time for Keeva’s communion in May 2015. Watch Keeva and Fiona’s meeting on www.independent.ie/rapunzel

Keeva Murphy (8) who suffers from Alopecia Areata is pictured with Fiona Murphy (15) who donated her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation, a charity which supports Irish children struggling with hair loss. Fiona’s ponytail will be one of 12 used in the making of a Freedom wig, which will be ready in time for Keeva’s communion in May 2015. Watch Keeva and Fiona’s meeting on www.independent.ie/rapunzel

Keeva Murphy (8) who suffers from Alopecia Areata is pictured with Fiona Murphy (15) who donated her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation, a charity which supports Irish children struggling with hair loss. Fiona’s ponytail will be one of 12 used in the making of a Freedom wig, which will be ready in time for Keeva’s communion in May 2015. Watch Keeva and Fiona’s meeting on www.independent.ie/rapunzel

“She had total alopecia and she was wearing a Freedom wig, which I had never seen before.

“Her mom was growing her hair for a wig and it really affected me. It sounds like nothing to grow your hair but I challenge anyone to grow their hair to 18in long when they are used to having short hair.

“I went back to my team and put it to them and said if somebody gives us their hair, we’ll cut their hair for free,” she said.

Hairdresser Anna said that conditions like alopecia can be very upsetting for children and families and the charity provides an essential support. 

“To see your daughter or your son lose their hair little by little, it has a huge impact on a family and there is very little you can do. Likewise there are very few places you can go for support and it’s obviously very important to create this awareness.

“The wigs are very expensive so it just happened that people wanted to give the Rapunzel Foundation money. If they couldn’t give hair they wanted to give money so now we’re in a really lucky position that we’re able to sponsor these wigs for people who really badly need them,” she said.

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With her plaited ponytail in a box bound for New Zealand where Keeva’s Freedom wig will be made, Fiona said that donating her hair to the foundation was more than a privilege.

“You know I think Keeva did me a favour because all that hair would have just gone into the bin if I didn’t cut it for the Rapunzel Foundation.

“I’m so privileged to give Keeva my hair and I’d encourage all of my friends to do it,” Fiona finished.

Fiona donated her hair in Vanilla hair salon in Rathmines, one of the 150 salons registered to the Rapunzel Foundation.

You can find out more about donating your hair on The Rapunzel Foundation’s website or by following the charity on Facebook and Twitter.

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