Miami Heat center Kelly Olynyk donates his hair to charity
Kelly Olynyk’s man-bun is no more.
The Miami Heat big man chopped off his iconic long hair over the weekend, shedding a look that was years in the making. But it wasn’t just time for a change — Olynyk did so for a good cause.
Olynyk donated his hair to Wigs For Kids, a nonprofit group that provides wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer or other similar medical conditions. Wigs For Kids requires at least 12 inches when you donate, which wasn’t a problem for Olynyk. The 27-year-old had plenty of hair to spare.
A post shared by Kelly Olynyk (@kellyolynyk) on May 5, 2018 at 6:32pm PDT
“Inspired by some of the amazing kids I’ve met over the years at the Boston’s Children’s Hospital, Holtz Children’s Hospital, and elsewhere,” Olynyk wrote on Instagram while holding his freshly-cut hair. “I am donating my hair to Wigs For Kids. Thank you Chrissy for helping me help someone else!”
Wigs For Kids was founded in 1981 in an effort to simply help boost self-esteem and self-image issues in children battling cancer. While patients’ looks isn’t the biggest concern during a battle with cancer, founder and certified cosmetic therapist Jeffrey Paul said it truly makes a big difference.
“Children shouldn’t have to worry about how they look, especially when they’re in the middle of a health crisis,” Paul said on the Wigs For Kids website. “We want to give these kids the opportunity to feel good about themselves again.”
Olynyk averaged 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game this season with the Heat. Over his five-year NBA career, many fans have felt that both Olynyk and his team has played better when he keeps his hair up in a bun, rather than letting his hair loose.
Now, though, Miami fans won’t have to stress over whether the man-bun version of Olynyk shows up on game day. Although, who knows? By the time next season rolls around, Olynyk may have enough hair again to bring the man-bun back.
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