Robert Bartunek of Council Bluffs donates his long hair to Locks of Love. Bartunek first started growing his hair when his younger Jim died of Cancer in 2001. He later donated the hair in his name. Locks of Love is an organization that provides hairpieces to make wigs for children under 18 who suffer hair loss medical condition

Bartunek said “I remember how much it bothered my 26-year-old brother to lose his hair during chemo. I thought how much harder it must be for a little girl.”

Melanie Goans said “My dad usually has a military cut and a polo T-shirt. I usually have to tell people he’s not having a midlife crisis.”

Bartunek is a respiratory therapist at Bergan Mercy Hospital and has inspired many co-workers to participate. Bartunek never tires of the questions of the process long and lot of work.

Bartunek said “When people, especially women, see an old grandpa like me growing my hair out they feel they can, too. Right now, I have a lot of thick hair, and I wanted to do it again before I was too old and too gray. I just think if it benefits a little girl suffering, then it’s worth everything I go through to try and grow it.”

Goans was inspired by his father Bartunek. She decided to support her father and grow her hair and donates to Locks of Love. Goans said “My heart goes out to girls and teenagers suffering from hair loss due to alopecia or chemotherapy. Being a kid/teen is hard enough. I can’t imagine trying to go through losing your hair at that time.”