Pediatric nurses donate their hair show some love
Stacy Woods has long hair on her nursing ID badge at Central DuPage Hospital. So do Jodi Smolik and Jennifer Schultz, her co-workers in the pediatrics unit.
But you wouldn't recognize them by those photos today.
With inspiration from Woods' daughter, they are among almost 20 women who let their hair grow for more than a year so they could donate to Locks of Love.
The project started when Woods' daughter, Shelby, asked about the long hair on her ID badge. Woods had donated before and, like now, had short hair that conflicted with the photo.
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The 7-year-old heard her mother talk about the group that makes wigs for children who experience hair-loss from diseases or treatments for cancer. And she decided that she should also grow her hair long to donate.
When Woods told the story to Casey Connelly, a co-worker in the Pediatrics ICU, they wanted to get others involved. They put up a sign up sheet, and the idea took off.
"It was great that the staff was so willing," Woods said.
The minimum length to donate is ten inches, and Woods, along with all sixteen others, reached that goal. Two girls donated fifteen inches.
In all, the group at Central DuPage Hospital donated 170 inches of hair. Most of that was donated right in the pediatrics unit,, when Connelley's mother, Joanne, came to the hospital to donate her time to cut off the hair. She performed 12 haircuts over a 6-hour period.
Joanne Connelly, who works from her home in Winfield, says the donations are a good way for adults and children to help out children in need.
"I'd just give those people a hand for their awesome way to contribute," Connelly said.
Dalila Landeros, 11, of Aurora had her first haircut that day, giving 15 inches of hair to help sick children. She didn't hesitate when the scissors came her way.
Angie Black, manager of Pediatrics at Central DuPage Hospital, finds the efforts of her staff amazing.
She says it was a great way to give back to the patients they treat every day.
"It's not just coming in and finishing a shift," said Black.
"I'm extremely proud of them," Black said. "I think it really shows how dedicated they are and how much they care about the patients they serve."
Woods said she chose Locks of Love because the organization gives the wigs to children for free.
Woods found the experience incredibly rewarding. And, while the experience was exciting, some felt a lot of anxiety once they were faced with the scissors.
"When you're in the chair, it's completely different," Woods said. However, even with the anxiety, everyone got through it. "(Hair) doesn't matter. It will grow back," Woods said.
The nine nurses who donated their hair were: Veena Casa of Aurora; Rosy Franco of Glendale Heights; Lynn Gorny of Naperville; Sandra Rivera of Glendale Heights; Evelyn Sanchez of Streamwood; Jennifer Schultz of Glendale Heights; Jamie Smolik of Belvedere; Jodi Smolik of Naperville; Jennifer Wingstadt of West Chicago; and Stacy Woods of Batavia.
The seven others who donated were: Laura Franco of Glendale Heights; Dalila Landeros of Aurora; Sarah Lim of West Chicago; Amanda Long of Winfield; Samantha Morosco of Winfield; Jamie Smolik of Belvedere; and Shelby Woods of Batavia.
The four nurses who recently donated their hair were: Jennifer Cortez of Geneva; Hilliary Crumlett of Elgin; Dana Thielk of Sandwich; and Deanna Wilson of Batavia.