This was the case for one Tapanui schoolgirl.
Adriana Roulston, 12, attends Blue Mountain College in Tapanui, which yesterday held a "Wig Wednesday" event, where funds were raised for cancer organisations.
Students and teachers put their hands up, raised funds and had their heads shaved in front of their classmates, faculty and family, as well as a livestream.
It was the first time that Adriana had had her hair cut and she said the experience was nerve-racking.
"I felt like I was going to vomit, a whole bunch of emotions," she said.
"I feel real sad for them and so I hope that they get better soon," she said.
Her hair was kept after being cut, and will be donated to Freedom Wigs in Dunedin.
The event was a success, the original funding goal of $5000 almost being doubled by the time of the haircutting.
Organiser Sarah Davies said it was amazing.
"I’m rapt with how it went, absolutely delighted by how it’s been supported not only here, but other schools around Otago as well," she said.
"The reason why I started was because of our youngest son, who has been through the leukaemia journey. It was a way of giving back and bringing the community in as well," she said.
The funds raised online exceeded $9000 and did not include donations or raffles held around Tapanui. The money will be donated to the Child Cancer Foundation, a charity that provides families with financial and emotional support.
Mrs Davies said the organisation helped mitigate stresses, letting parents focus on what really mattered.
"You can focus on your child ... Your energy goes into them," she said.
Principal Lindy Cavanagh-Monaghan also had her head shaved and said she was more than happy to support the event.
"It’s an amazing success story. Every year schools are involved, businesses are involved: everyone gets behind the spirit of Wig Wednesday."
