What happened to Nancee Goldwater after she cut her hair for a group that makes wigs for children with cancer gives credence to the adage "no good deed goes unpunished."
Goldwater, 59, known for her long career with Douglas County Animal Services and volunteer work with the Wild Animal Infirmary for Nevada, cut a 25-inch braid from her hair on July 25 to donate to Locks of Love.
The nationwide organization makes human hair wigs for children who lose their hair to cancer treatment.
Goldwater is a previous donor and even though she prefers long hair, it's her contribution to the fight against cancer.
After she got the haircut at Cost Cutters, Goldwater prepared it for shipping to Locks of Love. She had placed the braid in a plastic bag and left it on the rear passenger seat of her car.
Imagine her amazement when she discovered someone apparently stole it.
Since she's usually driving around town with animals, Goldwater said she customarily leaves the windows rolled down slightly for fresh air.
"I saw it (the braid) Wednesday (July 30) when I went hiking at Faye Canyon and to the grocery store," she said. "I was going to mail it on Friday (Aug.1), and when I went to get the braid out of the car, it was gone."
Incredulous at the loss, Goldwater said she retraced her steps, even hiking back up Faye Canyon to see if the thief may have taken it there and discarded it.
"This is the most evil thing I ever heard of," she said. "It has no value to anyone except Locks of Love. There's no point for anyone to keep it."
Goldwater said nothing else was taken from the vehicle.
"It's so pointless. Who would do this? It's just malicious. It made a very sick feeling in my stomach," she said.
If the braid hasn't been destroyed, Goldwater would like to get it back so she can send it on the Locks of Love.
"I'm not a scientist so I will never find a cure for cancer, nor a doctor who can help treat cancer," she said. "But I am a human being who can contribute what I have been blessed with " hair that grows fairly fast and is thick."
Hair like Goldwater's that is salt-and-pepper is sold by the organization and the funds returned to the nonprofit.
"This can help the young cancer patient maintain self-esteem from wearing a wig made especially for those who lose their own hair during cancer treatment," she said.
She hopes if the braid has been discarded, somebody will call her. The braid can be dropped off at The Record-Courier.
"I'm hoping somebody dropped it off in a trash can, or maybe a mailbox, and I can get it back. I would love to have it so I can have it shipped off for the people for whom it was intended," she said. "Maybe what happened to me will inspire somebody else to donate to Locks of Love."
Meanwhile, Goldwater is doing the only thing she can: She's three weeks into letting her hair grow for another donation.
"It hasn't been this short since I was a baby," she said. "Everybody likes it this way but me."