Man Has Westwood Salon Cut Hair For Wig Donation

WESTWOOD, NJ — Will Loschiavo knows the devastating effect cancer can have on someone.

Five of Loschiavo's relatives, including his cousin Lisa last year, have died of cancer. In their honor, Loschiavo went to Hair Trendz Salon in Westwood and cut his ponytail off to donate it to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths charity. The organization, together with the American Cancer Society, creates free wigs for cancer patients.

"I did this in their honor, as well as to encourage more men with healthy hair to grow it and donate it," said Loschiavos, who has not cut his hair since the spring of 2015.

Loschiavos got the idea from his experience with asthma. Since he was 2 he suffered from the condition and has been in and out of hospitals because of it.

"If you did not know me, you would not suspect that I had this illness because I look fine on the surface," Loschiavos said. "However, when someone suffers from cancer and undergoes chemotherapy, they often lose their hair, which acts as a scarlet letter. I can empathize with those who are sick and wanted to put what I have to good use."

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Photo: Will Loschiavo holds his hair he had cut off. He is donating it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which helps make wigs for cancer patients./Courtesy of Will Loschiavo