Reporter to donate 55″ of hair to raise funds for mental health
Posted Sep 17, 2018 8:00 am.
Last Updated Sep 17, 2018 9:05 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It’s been about eight years since NEWS 1130’s Lasia Kretzel last cut her hair. At first, it was a challenge to see if she could grow it as long as her mom once had it. But when her mother passed away, it became an opportunity to raise awareness.
Lasia, who works at 660’s sister station in Vancouver, is now starting a six-week-long campaign to raise funds for Coast Mental Health. She will be shaving and donating all of her hair in hopes of making a wig for someone in need.
“I want to raise money towards an organization that I know is going to help those who are struggling with substance abuse, with mental health issues,” she said. “My mother past away about five years ago, and one of the leading causes of her death was because of alcoholism.”
Lasia Kretzel (right) and a picture of her mom Mary (left).
She watched her mom struggle for years and would like to now help someone who may be going through something similar.
“I wanted to raise money towards an organization that I really had a personal connection to,” she added. “We’re just going to try to raise as much money as we can. Right now the goal is set at $1,000. I would love to see, and I challenge people to surpass that, that would be amazing.”
As a kid, Lasia said it was difficult to talk about her mom’s addiction, noting she felt embarrassed most of the time and didn’t really understood what it was.
A picture of Lasia’s mom Mary.
She said that’s why organizations like Coast Mental Health are important, to help both those struggling with addiction and mental health issues, but also those around it.
Some of Lasia’s hair is now past her knees, which reminds her of photos she used to see of her mom when she was younger.
“I’m hoping that they can make a wig or at least it can go towards making part of a wig. I know that it can take several heads of hair to make one wig.”
Another thing she’s excited about? Less time in the shower.
“It can be a hassle to maintain. People always ask how much shampoo I probably go through. The answer is a lot, but the answer for conditioner is even more.”
To donate you can visit Lasia’s campaign page.
