Emily Zuppa ALLENTOWN — For many children, turning 11 means playing games, receiving new clothes and eating birthday cake. For Emily Zuppa, turning 11 meant she had another chance to help someone who is battling cancer.
For the third time in her young life, Emily donated more than 8 inches of hair to a good cause.
For the second time, Emily donated her hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
A partnership between Pantene and the American Cancer Society provides free real-hair wigs for women across America who are fighting a battle with cancer.
“My hair grows fast so I thought that instead of just cutting it, I might as well donate it for a cause,” Emily said. “It feels good because I know I am doing something good for people.”
When Emily turned 5, she donated her hair to Locks of Love in honor of her mother’s friend who had died from cancer the year before.
Locks of Love is a nonprofit organization that uses donated hair to create hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children under the age of 21 who have longterm medical hair loss.
Locks of Love requires a minimum donation length of 10 inches.
Emily’s mother, Marisa Zuppa, has supported her daughter’s efforts to donate her hair.
“I think it shows awareness. We are supporting people who are going through hard times and there is just so much we can do. We need to let them know we care, that we are here in any way we can be, and we need to acknowledge their situation,” Zuppa said.
It takes about three years for Emily to grow her hair the appropriate length for a donation.
When Emily turned 8 in 2012, she donated her hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which requires a minimum donation of 8 inches. At that time, Emily’s fellow Brown- ies from Troop 71328 gathered to support her endeavor.
This year, Emily donated her hair with her friend Ariathne Bruno, who was also making her third hair donation.
“It is such a heartwarming feeling and I am proud of her for following through. It is a great example for children in the future and really shows that small gestures can have a big impact,” said Ariathne’s mother, Evie Bruno.
Ariathne’s grandmother is a three-time cancer survivor who is still going through treatment. Her grandfather is also being treated for cancer.
Ariathne donated 9.5 inches of hair and friends and family members accompanied the girls to the Create Yourself Salon, Yardville-Allentown Road.
Marisa Zuppa is a part-time teacher at the Stone Bridge Middle School in the Upper Freehold Regional School District. She said she notices the selfless efforts and awareness in today’s youth.
After posting a message on Facebook about Emily’s most recent donation of hair, the family received comments and likes from friends, family members and other Facebook users.
“Children are sensitive to what is happening to other children. They are generous and willing to help others,” Zuppa said. “We look to encourage more girls to do it if they can.”