Imagine waking up day after day, looking in the mirror and seeing a person who is not like everyone else for the simple reason that he or she does not have any hair.In a world so consumed with outward appearance and model and movie star-quality beauty, a child suffering from medical hair loss is like a small fish trying to survive in shark-infested waters.

But there is hope and a way of helping. Locks of Love is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children 18 years old or younger suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

Locks of Love makes more than 1,000 hair pieces from donated hair each year for children across the United States.

If it were not for the hair donations, financial contributions and volunteer support, Locks of Love would not exist. Even Ann Curry of the “Today Show” and her daughter participated by growing out their hair. Curry had her hair cut on national television Wednesday. Each hair donation must be 10 inches or more.

The majority of these children suffering from hair loss have a medical condition called alopecia areata, which is unexplained, and there is no known cure. These children are faced with self-esteem struggles, and these hairpieces help them to overcome their confidence battles and face the world.

Even if you cannot bring yourself to donate the hair, financial contributions are welcomed and needed. The hairpieces retail for $3,500 to $6,000 each. Although the hair is donated, Locks of Love must cover the manufacturing costs.

Try going to the Locks of Love Web site. Take a look at the before and after photo gallery of some of the children who have benefited from this worthy cause. It is heart-wrenching.

Something every one of us takes for granted can be one child’s dream come true.

Editor in Chief Courtney Reese for the editorial board