Be A Light
Author: Devyn T. / Editor: Bella B. / Photos: Chapter Provided
Three years ago, during her senior year of high school, Delta Delta Delta’s (Tri Delt) Halie H. took charge of a project close to her heart: The Hair Fairy. “Think of it as the tooth fairy, but with hair...” Halie explains. Customizable Kits are brought to children going through cancer treatment and, “The kits are little doors the kids can decorate… They leave their hair on the doorstep at night and the hair fairy exchanges their hair for something, like a stuffed animal” Halie explains.
The Hair Fairy first began when a friend close to Halie was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of eight years old. “She went through two years of treatment, causing her to lose her hair,” Halie said. When they were young the parents of Halie’s friend started The Hair Fairy as a way to bring light upon the experience of hair loss and rounds of treatment. Years later, this inspired Halie’s take on the project.
Halie is currently a second-year nursing student at Florida State University. When asked if her involvement working on The Hair Fairy has inspired her in any way, Halie explained that her friend's experience with cancer inspired her to pursue her career path. Halie plans to become a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Pediatric Oncology once she enters the workforce. She expressed all she's learned from her experience with the Hair Fairy project stating, “I've learned how important it is to give back to people going through such tragic times. To be a light for kids fighting cancer and struggling with hair loss. People sometimes forget how difficult hair loss can be for them.”
When asked to reflect further on her experience with The Hair Fairy, Halie explains that because of Covid-19 regulations she has not had the opportunity to personally distribute the hair kits in a few years, but shares a special time she was able to see them being used.
“I was actually able to shadow at Golisano Children's Hospital, and while I was there I saw kids using our kits!”
Along with the reward Halie has experienced within the hospital's community, she also expressed how the women within Tri Delta have provided support to her as well. “Everyone is super supportive, I spoke about it in a chapter meeting one night and before I was even done I already had texts from women who wanted to learn more about it.” said Halie.
Recently The Hair Fairy has become a recognized project on campus in which students can now receive community service hours for volunteering. Along with cultivating the project on campus, Halie’s future plans for The Hair Fairy are to gain connections with hospitals all throughout Florida in an effort to expand the project to children everywhere.
“You really have no idea who has a connection with something like this, so being able to chat with people who were so passionate about it was a cool experience”. Halie is a prime example of how both passion and drive can allow for change in an entire community.