Honoring her daughter through Locks of Love donation

Gloria Robbins of Elkader has grown out and donated her hair to Locks of Love on three separate occasions. Above, Gloria is shown with her most recent donation of 14 inches. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
Founded in 1997, Locks of Love is a voluntary, non-profit organization whose main goal is to return a sense of self-confidence and normalcy to financially disadvantaged children suffering from hair loss due to illness and disease. In addition to providing high-quality hair prostheses and educational services and networking to patients, families, healthcare professionals, and the general community.
Retired Registered Nurse and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Gloria Robbins of Elkader has donated her hair to Locks of Love on three separate occasions.
Gloria's caregiving journey began as a nurse aide at Central Community Hospital in Elkader, where she was also an EMT, and taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation
"When I applied for nurses training I was placed on a ten month waiting list," commented Gloria. "During that time I worked as a home health care aide. During school breaks I worked as an LPN at the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital after I earned my LPN license, and started my RN profession there." Gloria also worked as an RN at the Central Community Hospital (later Mercy One) for 18 years.
Gloria was called to donate to Locks of Love for the first time for personal reasons. "My daughter, Lylina was diagnosed with cancer at age 44," she sadly shared. "I have always liked to wear my hair long, so growing it a little longer and donating it seemed like the right thing to do."
Hair has to be at least 10 inches long to qualify for a Locks of Love donation. "At that time my daughter had started to lose her hair due to chemotherapy," she remembered. "I donated 22 inches – two long braids in her honor."
Lylina followed in her mother's footsteps and also worked as a dedicated nurse aide and EMT. "She worked the night shift at RISE in Elkader and would be on call during the day for Central Community and then Mercy One when they took over.
At Lylina's passing her commitment to helping others was not overlooked. "Lylina was buried in Mederville with a procession of area EMS Ambulances," she proudly shared. "I have never seen or heard of anything like that. Her EMS director also enlisted someone to play the bagpipe at the grave site as well."
Lylina was also honored at a ceremony in Des Moines and her name was added to a monument that honors EMTs who have passed. "She was nominated for this honor by her former boss," she said with emotion. "It was a nice honor that will be there forever."
Gloria grew out her hair and donated it again a couple of years ago, and more recently donated another 14 inches in August. "Lock Ten Hair Salon is the best place to donate hair," she pointed out. "They are happy to help and take care of everything."
Gloria feels good about donating her hair. She enjoys the look on people's faces when her style changes so drastically every couple of years.
"I hope this story encourages others to donate to this worthy cause," she concluded with a smile.