MAY 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 25
Since its start in 2014, the Roslyn
Heights-based Hair We Share has been
brightening the lives of children, teens
and adults suffering from hair loss due to cancer
and other medical causes.
The nonprofit organization provides suitable
wigs for its clients. In the process, Hair We
Share – which relies entirely on donations in
the form of real-hair ponytails and monetary
contributions – has improved lives and restored
the confidence of people throughout the
country.
We recently caught up with Suzanne Chimera,
Hair We Share’s cofounder, who discussed her
organization’s mission, how it was started, and
the importance of social media in connecting
with donors and recipients.
Question: What is the mission of Hair We
Share?
Answer: To maintain the
dignity, confidence and selfesteem
of those affected by
medical hair loss.
Q: What was it that attracted
you to cosmetology?
A: Since childhood, I was always
artistic. I loved to mold clay. I
found hair to be similar. Hair
became my medium of choice,
allowing me to have an artistic
outlet while making a personal
impact on other people. I began
sweeping hair and assisting at
my local hair salon at 15 years
old. I spent hours watching and
learning from the best stylists in
the salon.
Q: What led you and
cofounder Dean Riskin to start
Hair We Share?
A: I began working for Dean,
the owner of Manny Roberts
Hair Replacement, in 1994,
designing custom-made wigs
and men’s hair replacements.
While Dean went on vacation,
I turned his business into a notfor
profit.
Hair We Share cofounder helps
those facing hair loss
Q: What has been the most
memorable experience from
your time with Hair We Share?
A: Early on, we received a wig
application for a 4-year-old
who had ocular cancer. The
parents were desperate to have
their daughter look like herself
again. For Dean, this was his
“aha!” moment, confirmation
that Hair We Share was the right
thing. Within a few days, I made
a wig for a 17-year-old with stage 4 liver cancer.
Both girls’ parents sent me photos and thank
you notes. Their babies were dying, and they
took the time to tell me how I was an integral
part of giving a piece of them back.
Q: Is there a common piece of advice that you
find applies to all your clients?
A: You wear the wig. It does
not wear you. I never want
anyone who has lost their hair
to feel like they need to hide
under the wig. It is very difficult
to embrace hair loss. Hair loss
was once described to me as
being like losing someone close
to you. Your hair is a part of
you, it defines you, and when
you lose it, you mourn. The wig
should be an accessory to help
you feel beautiful, but your true
beauty is inside you.
Q: What sets Hair We Share apart from other
charitable organizations?
A: The hair donation process is an experience
like no other. When you donate your hair, you
are giving a piece of yourself – a piece of your
own beauty – to a stranger. It takes six to nine
ponytail donations to make one
wig. With our Ponytail Tracking
program, recipients and donors
may be able to see each other.
Q: How do you use technology
in your work?
A: I don’t know how we would
survive without social media. We
mainly use Facebook, Instagram
and LinkedIn. They have really
helped us to get our message out
there to the masses and helped
us connect with donors and
recipients as well. Social media
has been an amazing tool to
promote our fundraising efforts.
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government agencies, health
care facilities and businesses
with advanced technology
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