OUR hair is our crowning glory.

It can speak volumes on how we take care of our outside appearances.

Quoting Coco Chanel, a French fashion designer and businesswoman said, "a woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life."

This was experienced by Thea Kerl Gealon, 21 years old, of Bacolod City, who chose to donate her hair to a cancer patient as her way of celebrating her 20th birthday.

She shared that, "Right after my 20th birthday, I have realized that I want to do something for my next birthday. The thought of blowing candles or dine with the family alone did not spark joy anymore. So I thought of things to do, projects to kickstart and a hair donation was among that caught my interest."

As a volunteer, helping people in need is part of her advocacy.

Ever since, she has always wanted to be involved with kids, social work, or volunteerism.

And she wanted to highlight the hair donation on her birthday because it makes it more meaningful.

"So it’s like hitting two birds with one stone because I’m helping cancer patients feel empowered, inspired, and loved, and at the same time, I’m also encouraging volunteerism through this undertaking. I felt like I was doing a difference in the lives of cancer patients by starting this project even though it is simple and unassuming," she said.

She went to a hairstylist and had a haircut. She kept the hair that was meant to be donated and turned over the same to an organization that takes care of cancer patients.

"It was fulfilling. It was different. And I feel so delighted that even though this act is simple, but the virtue of love, kindness, compassion, and giving are all comprised in one simple initiative - the hair donation," she said.

She would feel how cancer patients battle the disease and how they also approach the reality of losing their hair while undergoing medication that includes chemotherapy sessions.

But with my hair and those with other hair donors, we can bring back their confidence in themselves and little by little help them minimize the impact of their health condition. I am among those who brought back smiles in the faces of brave souls, she said.

Thea has also faced a battle of temporarily being out of college because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But she keeps herself active in hosting this project for roughly about two years now.

She currently runs a small home-based eatery and is an avid fan of coffee, books, and everything in between.