Hair donation leads Cove student to help sick children

By WENDY SLEDD

Special to Leader-Press

Gabriella Ortiz’s dark brown hair made the perfect pillow for the Junior Miss Rabbit Fest crown. The 7-year old made her way to the front of the stage to accept the honor, her curls cascading down her back. 

Affectionately known as Gabi by family and friends, she had very little hair as a baby and toddler, her mother, Amber Gorman said.

“I wasn't ready to let it go and it was easier to work with for dance competitions if it was longer,” Gorman said. “So I didn't really entertain the idea of her getting her hair cut other than a trim until a few weeks ago.”

Gabi made comments every once in a while that she wanted to get her hair cut. She watched a video with her mom on Facebook that explained the process of how and an explanation of why a wig is made for children. The video followed a ponytail of hair from the time it was cut to the time it was placed on the head of young girl who had lost her hair due to illness. 

“After seeing that video, Gabi decided that she wanted to help a little girl that had no hair. She was ready to cut her hair that day but she had to wait until someone had time available to cut it,” Gorman said. “So, our cousin who is a hair stylist in Indiana had time to cut it while were in Indiana for vacation.”

Not only did the new hair style change Gabi’s appearance, but it also changed her awareness that they are other children just like her who are in need. Gabi and her mother researched three organizations and decided that Children With Hair Loss would be the organization to which she donated her hair.  When she was asked why she wanted to donate her hair, Gabi said she wanted to help kids that lost their hair.

"I think the kids will be happy when they get the wigs. I like helping people. It makes me happy," she said.

The hair donation has lead Gabi to select her community service project as Junior Miss Rabbit Fest as the Starlight Foundation. She will serve as an ambassador for the organization and will spend her year-long reign providing activities such as crafts and games for hospitalized children at the McLane’s Children's Hospital in Temple.

“I was raised to help others when and where I could and I want her and her brother to grow up the same way. It's our family's way of giving back,” Gorman said.