The largest philanthropic event in the world is only getting larger and proposing more ways to help children with cancer — not only medically, but also emotionally.

Wigs for Kids and Locks of Love, both organizations that collect hair through donations, are using the charitable gifts to make wigs for children who have lost their hair during cancer treatments.

Kelly Croce, public relations spokeswoman for the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, said she was contacted by a representative from Wigs for Kids and decided to announce the opportunity at a dancer meeting.

Molly Sweigert (senior-telecommunications) decided to donate 12 inches of her hair.

"I am dancing in Thon this year and I'm really excited I got to be as involved as I as I am since I wasn't in previous years," Sweigert said.

"I had long hair when I was little and I think it would be really upsetting not to have hair as a little girl," she added. "I had the hair to give so I did."

One of Wigs for Kids' themes was "helping kids look themselves," Croce said.

"Children lose self-esteem in the critical years of childhood. Wigs for Kids gives them a chance to have their own hair."

Katie Booth (senior-accounting and international business) donated 10 inches of her hair.

"My boyfriend is dancing in Thon and they made an announcement at one of the first dancer meetings and he came home and told me about it and asked if I was interested," Booth said.

Booth donated her hair because she would have felt bad to keep it when someone else is in need of it.

"Beyond the money part of Thon, it's great to see the fun the kids have there — seeing some of them smile for the first time in months," she said.

Locks of Love is a charity that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children with medical hair loss who are younger than 18 .

Renee Siconolfi-Defazio (senior-nutrition) said she saw Locks of Love on television and decided to pursue the idea.

Siconolfi-Defazio asked Supercuts, 106 W. Beaver Ave., a national sponsor of Locks of Love, to host the event.

The salon agreed to donate their services for the cause.

The event coincided well with Thon, but she had not planned it to turn out that way, Siconolfi-Defazio said.

She said it takes about five ponytails to make one wig for a child. Because some hair is lost during processing, each free hair cut needed to be ten inches or more.

Supercuts got a total of three wigs, although she would have liked more, Siconolfi-Defazio said.

About 15 girls donated their hair throughout the day.

Sara Kann (junior-therapeutic recreation) donated about 12 inches of her hair to the cause.

"I looked at it on the Internet and decided to just do it," she said.

Attitudes ranged from carefree spontaneity to slight hesitation.

"I like it," she said. "It'll probably be a shock tomorrow morning though."

Kaitlin Schwartzel (junior-telecommunications) said she decided to cut her hair today instead of waiting until spring break.

"My hair will grow back regardless," Schwartzel said.

The two events not only brought hair to children in need, but also helped improve their spirits.

"It doesn't just stop at Thon, it doesn't just stop at helping kids with cancer, it's people helping people," Croce said.