Donate A Ponytail, Get A New Look At Spa Pechanga's Mane Campaign

TEMECULA, CA — Free haircuts and styles are being offered to guests who donate hair toward cancer patient wigs during the month of October, courtesy of Pechanga Resort Casino. It's the annual Mane Campaign focusing on Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"Anyone willing to cut and donate eight or more inches of their hair to help those battling cancer," a Pechanga Resort Casino spokesperson said. "Donors get a free, fresh hairstyle for fall."

The hair will be woven into real-hair wigs, which will then be given to cancer patients in need, thanks to the Hair We Share. The organization provides free, real-hair wigs to eligible men, women and children with breast cancer and other medical hair loss conditions, according to its website.

If you choose to donate your hair, here are some things to know:

• Haircut donation appointments at Spa Pechanga may be made now through October 28 by calling 951-770- 8501.
• Appointments will be taken in October from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Spa Pechanga.
• Donors’ hair will be measured and cut by cosmetology students from Paul Mitchell The School Temecula under the direction of an expert instructor on Thursdays, and by hairstylists from Smith Salon of Temecula on Fridays.
• Donors receive a voucher for a free haircut and style to their choice of Smith Salon or 11:11 Salon – both in Temecula. Out of the area donors will receive a $50 gift card they may use at a salon of their choice.

Donated hair can be gray but cannot be bleached or unnatural hair color. It must be at least 8 inches long.

This is the first year since 2019 that Spa Pechanga has held this event. That year, the spa collected over 200 ponytails or about 224 feet of hair, according to event organizers.

Rachel Patnae, Spa Pechanga manager, spoke on the event.

"Like so many things, COVID precluded us from hosting this campaign the last two years, though our team is committed to bringing back the hope and light it sheds on the need for hair donations,” Patane said. “The campaign has touched each and every one of us. We’ve seen so much love, tears and strength from the donors and from breast cancer patients through our programs and because of that, we want to make this year’s campaign even better.”

To make an appointment at Spa Pechanga, call 951-770-8501. Appointments for hair donations and styles are based on availability.

Spa Pechanga is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Sunday. For more information, visit Pechanga.com/indulge/spa