Nicole's hair, a 13-inch, shiny, blond braid, clean and bagged, is the very crucial ingredient to this extraordinary process. It will take six to 10 braids just like hers to make one hair prosthetic that would normally retail between $3,000 and $6,000.

Then the hair is not only hand picked for length and color, but 15,000 strands are hand punched into a custom fitted mold. The entire process takes several months, and children who qualify will receive up to five replacements over the course of several growing years.

Locks of Love's mission is to provide hair to every disadvantaged child suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

Children do suffer feelings of low self-esteem and lack of confidence living in a world that places a good deal of emphasis on hair. Girls who receive hair take great pleasure in braiding, pony tailing, and clipping long or short locks, depending on the current style.

Boys also suffer, though less so, living in a society where looking different attracts unwanted or negative attention.

Most of the children, some 90 percent, who receive assistance from Locks of Love have alopecia areata, an auto-immune disorder that causes the hair follicles to shut down. Others, who qualify for hair prosthetics, have disorders such as Trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling), ectodermal dysplasia syndrome (a genetic disorder affecting the outer ectodermal layer), Loose hair syndrome (as the name implies, hair falls easily from the follicle), physical injury (burns, trauma, sores), Monilethrix (brittle hair), and cancer patients.

Nicole's hair has been down to the middle of her back since she was four years old.

Her mother told Nicole about Locks of Love when she said she wanted to cut her hair. They looked over the website, and when Nicole decided to donate her hair.

"I'm really glad that I have some hair, and I can donate it, so I can give a kid some self-confidence," Nicole said. She says she realizes she would feel sad if she didn't have hair.

Nicole's donation has sparked interest at school as well. Nicole's best friend donated recently, and several other classmates have asked about the program, including a young boy who wanted to know what "it was called again," so he could tell his sister and mom about the website. The excitement of what Nicole has done is still fresh in her mind. And of course there's the unknown child waiting for Nicole's long blond locks to sweep into a ponytail or pull back into clips.

For more information on Locks of Love or to donate, visit www.locksoflove.org or call 888.896.1588.