The idea was to have Boston-area salons collaborate on an annual cut-a-thon that would raise funds to help children with heart problems. Now in its 8th year of benefiting the Heart Center of Boston Children’s Hospital, HAIRraising is poised to break its own records on May 21 this year, with more than 80 salons participating. Clients simply go to any participating salon, and Boston Children’s Hospital receives 100% of the donated funds from their haircuts.

Beauty industry leaders and business partners Gail Federici and John Frieda launched HAIRraising after Federici saw first-hand that excellent medical care could save children’s lives. Her daughter Alex was born with a congenital heart problem and had open-heart surgery when she was a toddler. While Boston Children’s Hospital worked the medical miracles, Federici’s own industry colleagues provided appreciated emotional support for her family.

Federici says, “HAIRraising is my true ‘work of heart.’ Boston Children’s was so amazing to us, and we want to do everything we can for other sick children, their families and the team of dedicated doctors and staff who work so hard to make life better for all of us.”

In the past seven years, HAIRraising has raised more than $1 million for the hospital. Your salon does not have to be in the Boston area to participate. Learn more at hairraising.org.