Going to new lengths against cancer

Tina Sellner holds up her just-shorn hair that she'll send in for use in wigs for cancer patients. She's been growing it for more than two years and wanted to donate it in honor of her sister who died from cancer and to celebrate friends who have survived their battle with the disease.
Tina Sellner holds up her just-shorn hair that she'll send in for use in wigs for cancer patients. She's been growing it for more than two years and wanted to donate it in honor of her sister who died from cancer and to celebrate friends who have survived their battle with the disease.

Tina Sellner made a dramatic change for cancer.

Hairdresser Melinda Peak cut nearly 12 inches from the 60-year-old's hair Thursday at Wave-Lengths Hairstyling Salon on Missouri Boulevard. Sellner plans to donate the locks to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths.

Pantene makes real-hair wigs from the donations and distributes them free of charge to the American Cancer Society.

"I did this because it impacts the women in my life," Sellner said.

Sellner's older sister died from lung cancer more than a year ago, and two of her friends were diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

One of her friends received a free wig from the American Cancer Society during chemotherapy treatment.

"I know what an impact that wig had on my friend," Sellner said. "It made her feel perky. I felt this (donation) was something I could do."

Sellner will celebrate her 60th birthday next Saturday, and after reading the requirements for donating to Pantene, knew it was something she should do.

"I have no gray hair," Sellner said. "I realized most people my age aren't that lucky."

To learn about receiving a wig from the American Cancer Society, call 877-227-1596. To make a hair donation to Pantene, visit www.pantene.com.