Hair stylist Richard Noel knows exactly what it's like to lose all of your hair because of an illness.

"In 1997 I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and given three months to live," Noel said. "I underwent treatments, and by my 40th birthday, all of the hair on my body had fallen out."

Knowing first hand the embarrassment that comes with hair loss, Noel couldn't help but be extremely touched when one of his youngest customers decided she was going to donate her hair to Locks of Love - an organization that makes hair pieces for children who have lost their hair due to illness.

"Hadley (Clarke) is a very special person," Noel said. "After having to wear all different kinds of hats during my baldness, I can only imagine what it would be like to get a wig to put on."

Clarke's mom, Jacqui, said her 10-year-old is constantly looking for ways to give back to the community.

"We've tried to make her aware that there is more to life than just herself, and helping others is really something that she has grown to enjoy," Jacqui said. "For her 10th birthday last September, she even asked that instead of giving her presents, people give her dog food and pet supplies that could be donated to Paws and Claws."

Jacqui said she and Hadley volunteer at Paws and Claws when they have the time, and Hadley and her grandfather, James Clarke, collect aluminum cans to give Paws and Claws to recycle.

Hadley's idea to participate in the Locks of Love program first came up about five years ago.

"I saw it on Oprah," Hadley said, "and then I had a friend, who now lives in California, who did the same thing."

Jacqui said it took her daughter five years to grow her hair long enough to make the minimal 10-inch donation.

"This will be Hadley's first haircut other than a trim," Jacqui said last Friday at Hairworks Unlimited and Tanning. "Her hair just grows so slow, it's taken 10 years for it to reach the 10 inches."

Also accompanying Hadley at the salon for her first haircut were her grandparents, Amanda and Walter Vrablic.

After her haircut and style, Hadley was flying out to visit her friend in California for a few weeks.