Bay Area woman gives back by helping kids who lost hair

CAMPBELL, Calif. (KTVU) -- September is both childhood cancer and alopecia (the medical term for hair loss) awareness month.

A Bay Area woman recently started a nonprofit "Hair We Are Kidz" to help children ages three to 19 to cope with hair loss caused by a variety of conditions.

Heidi Oatis told KTVU she's using her business in Campbell -- where she makes hair extensions and wigs -- as a place to help restore self-confidence.

"I love doing this so much," said Oatis

Making the hair pieces is a painstaking task, but Oatis does it with passion.

A few strands at a time, Oatis uses donated human hair to make prosthesis for children who've lost their hair from cancer, burn trauma and other conditions.

"What you look like is very important, especially to kids," said Oatis.

She says her desire to help children came out of what she describes as an abusive family environment growing up.

"I felt like I didn't want to live anymore and so I prayed to God.  I said 'Lord, if you allow me to come through this, I will always give back,'" said Oatis.

She tells KTVU she started making hair pieces for children ten years ago with money out of her own pocket.

It was only three months ago that she finally turned her passion into a non-profit.

Eliana Regal is among the children Oatis has helped.

The 8-year-old started losing her hair about three years ago and her mother Rachel Regal says doctors haven't been able to explain why.

"On the first day of school, I was crying my eyes out so bad," said Eliana, worried that other children at school would make fun of her.

The third grader says she's been bullied.

"Still scared, but I finally got through it," said Eliana.  

With the help of a hairpiece came renewed confidence along with support from mom who also lost her hair.

"It wasn't an option for me to be strong. I had to be, because this little one is watching.  That's it. You're going into this fire," said Rachel about setting an example for her daughter.  

Brain cancer caused Amanda Nelson of San Jose to lose her hair. She said the hair piece is transformative.

"I felt better about myself when I went to school. I felt normal. I felt like I fit in. Like I didn't stand out from everybody else," said Nelson, who's now a college student.

"I eat, sleep and breathe this and my goal is to make people feel whole again ... especially kids," said Oatis.

She's keeping a promise she made to give back.

If you would like to learn more about Oatis' non-profit or sponsor a child's wig, you can visit her website.