Cherry Hill girl donates her hair to help those with cancer

AGE: 16
PARENTS:
Andi and Michael Lazar
PETS:
Cats Oreo and Muffin
FAVORITE SINGER:
Christina Aguilera
FAVORITE FOOD:
"Anything Italian"
FAVORITE MOVIE:
"Practical Magic" starring
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman

Although she often thought about donating her hair to a cancer patient, Brittany Lazar could not get past two issues. The 16- year-old Cherry Hill East student never had the patience to grow her hair long enough so that she could give the required nine inches. Also, she found it difficult to part with her hair.

Watching the Oprah Winfrey Show one day, the teen saw actress Hillary Swank getting her hair cut for "Pantene Beautiful Lengths," one of the programs that collects hair to be made into wigs. "That inspired me do it," she said. "I started growing my hair out."

Brittany's initial motivation was to help any cancer patient. But, tragically, she soon had a more personal reason. Her beloved grandmother Shirley was diagnosed with gastric cancer. Close to her grandmother, Shirley said that hearing of her grandmother's "made me want to do it even more." Shirley Lazar died in May without ever learning of her granddaughter's hair donation project.

In August, Brittany's hair was long enough to donate and she had it cut at a local salon. "It was tough to cut my hair, but once it was over, I was OK," said Lazar, a member of Temple Beth Sholom and a Midrashah student. "Doing this made me feel really good. Everyone should give back to the community."

Brittany's effort to help cancer victims has extended beyond her hair donation. Asking her Sweet Sixteen party guests to bring donations for the American Cancer Society, she raised close to $500.

"I've done charity-type things before, but nothing like this," Lazar said about her work to fight cancer.

Her volunteer activities have included work for "East in Action," the community service club at her high school, raising money for the Alzheimer's Association and meeting with legislators to urge them to support legislation on behalf of Alzheimer's patients. She recently completed the Alzheimer's Walk in Atlantic City.

A self-described shy person, Lazar feels nervous when talking to people, and yet is truly comfortable when singing and performing in front of large audiences.

She is a member of "Belles of East," Cherry Hill East's hand bell group, as well as "Chansons," the school choir. She also acts in East's plays and is looking forward to "Fiddler on the Roof" in the spring.

Show business runs in Brittany's family. Her father Michael is a DJ, and her cousin— Cherry Hill native Aaron Lazar— performs on Broadway. Brittany can see herself in show business, hopefully, like Aaron, on the Broadway stage. .