By Malin Dartnell
Staff Writer

Seven-year-old Madison Farmer had never had a real haircut before. She’d gotten it  trimmed occasionally, but had basically been growing her hair her whole life. By the time she was ready to cut her hair, it was almost 14 inches long.
Madison wasn’t just cutting her hair because she felt like she needed a change, or a new summer ‘do, however. 
Almost every summer, Madison visits a friend who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia.
When Madison learned of her  friend’s illness, she was determined to help. Somebody mentioned the idea of "Locks for Love," a non-profit organization that uses donated hair to create wigs for financially disadvantaged children with permanent or long-term hair loss.
 Many of the children helped by Locks of Love lost their hair due to chemotherapy, or a condition called Alopecia Areata. When Madison realized that she could give her hair to Locks of Love and that her hair would benefit a child that needed it, she made her decision.
Madison grew her hair for one more year, until it was long enough to send 10 inches to Locks for Love. Then, she put it in a ponytail and cut it off to be sent away.
While her parents played no part in Madison’s decision to cut her hair, they did reward her afterwards by taking her to get her nails done.
“We are so proud of her generosity and hope to encourage others by her story,” her mother, Amy Malcolm, said.