I'm not normally the type of person to post these kinds of before/after photos, but I'd like to take this time to explain why I'm doing so. At first glance, I'd say the most noticeable difference in this picture from 15 years ago and now is my haircut. When I was 9, I despised my short hair and would have done anything to change it. I looked around at all of my girl friends and all I wanted was to have the same long flowing locks. Despite my protests, my mom would insist that I cut my hair every month. I would cry whenever we went to the salon. Every. single. time. In elementary school, I thought long hair would make me beautiful. When I started middle school and was able to make my own decisions regarding my hair, I vowed that I would grow it out and keep it as long as I wanted. For 15 years, that is precisely what I did.

Although my hair has changed drastically since I was 9, I'd say the biggest change is one that is not visible. As I got older, I realized that my hair did not determine who I was. I became more confident and, essentially, stopped needing to hide behind my hair. This might lead one to the question: then why, Vivian, is your hair still SO LONG if this is the truth?

For the last 16 months, I have been growing out my hair beyond comfortable lengths in order to donate ~10 inches to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths and fundraise for St. Baldricks in support of childhood cancer research. Although I have had the amazing opportunity to grow up and realize that my hair did not define me, many kids with cancer may not have this same opportunity.

Cancer research is not only very different from adult cancers, but is vastly underfunded. Not only that, but chemotherapy causes a lot of kids and adults alike to lose their hair. As much as we can tell a little girl that they are beautiful regardless of their lack of hair, it can cause a lot of psychological distress in a child who is already undergoing so much. I am choosing to donate my hair in the hopes that it'll alleviate at least one child's heartache. However, we need your help to help all of these children beat their cancer. A cure for cancer means that these kids will get the chance to grow up and realize for themselves that hair is just that, hair.

I know all of you out there are bombarded with tons of equally important causes that your friends would like you to support, but I'm hoping that I maybe gave you a reason to donate to this one.

Thank you!