And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness… (Deuteronomy 7:15)

On November 11, some 250 women in Jerusalem donated their hair, for a total of 53.1 kilograms (117 lbs.) cut in five hours, setting a new Guinness Record for a single drive, according to The Times of Israel. The hair will be used to fashion wigs for children with cancer.

Throughout the month of November Israelis are making a more concerted effort to donate their locks for cancer patients. Some 200 salons from Nahariya to Eilat are offering haircuts free of charge to anyone wishing to donate their locks.

The drive is organized by the Zichron Menachem Cancer Support Center in Israel in partnership with Pantene Israel. Founded in memory of young Menachem Ehrental, who died after battling cancer for 15 years, the non-profit provides a variety of types of short- and long-term support to children with the disease, both in their homes and in the hospital setting.

For those unable to make it to a salon, Zichron Menachem provides instructions on their website for washing, cutting and sending in your hair. Almost any type of hair is accepted, except for damaged hair, or hair that is completely grey or white. Also, dreadlocks are not accepted.

“In order to make a child with cancer feel as normal and beautiful as possible, the goal is to fashion a wig that looks exactly like his/her hair,” Zichron Menachem’s website explains. “The child’s head is measured, and the wig is constructed from hair that is the closest match to his own. A curly-topped kid wants curls. A girl with red braids wants red braids. A teen with frizzy brown hair still wants… frizzy brown hair, even if she’s always complained about it!”

Any hair not used to fashion a wig for a cancer victim is sold, with the proceeds going toward cancer research and treatment.