On August 26, at the McLean Community Center in McLean, Virginia, Zahab Kamal Khangot a hair cut.

Khan, a local Northern Virginia resident, and native of Pakistan, has been growing her hair for the past 17 years.  She set a new Guinness World Record for the Most Hair Donated to a Charity by an Individual. Her hair will be donated to Children With Hair Loss (CWHL), a non-profit that provides annual customized human hair replacements and styling services, at no cost to children and young adults with medically-related hair loss until they reach age 21. Setting the record requires donating a minimum of five feet of hair.

In addition to supporting children suffering from hair loss, Khan's donation advances efforts to raise awareness for women in sports as she has been recognized as the "Longest Haired Athlete." (Ms. Khan is a world-ranked squash player.)

With hair that was 6'3" long, Khan went for the big chop with the help of stylist Gregory White, who is an artist at a local Hair Cuttery Salon. Under the scrutiny of friends, family and local media, White went to work on Khan's impressive length and created a lovely lob.

AN AWARENESS-RAISING CUT

Khan moved to the United States in 2018. She is the owner of the Zahab Neha Foundation, a non-governmental organization she founded that helps student-athletes in Pakistan who want to continue playing their sports and pursuing studies but are unable to do so because of poverty and lack of resources. Since its founding in 2018, the foundation has cultivated donors to serve 60 children with monthly rent and tuition assistance so they can pursue education and athletic ambitions.

"Growing up in Pakistan, there were not many opportunities for girls to participate in sports. I have been fortunate to have had parents who pushed me to succeed," said  Khan. "I am proud to support children in their academic and athletic endeavors."