Doctor offers free hair transplant
Dr. Leonard who owns his own hair transplant business, has just launched an American Idol type competition
July 2009
A Rhode Island doctor is waging a one-man, surgical strike against unemployment, by providing a free hair transplant, and other cosmetic procedures, to people looking for an edge in a tough job market.
My goal is to get people employed again, said Dr. Robert Leonard, who has watched unemployment levels in Rhode Island climb to 12.1 percent in the past year.
In Massachusetts, unemployment has doubled, since last July, to more than 8 percent.
Leonard, who owns his own hair transplant business, has just launched an American Idol -type competition. The winner will receive a hair transplant - valued at $7,500 - for free.
When you have hair, you look better, you look younger and your confidence soars, said Leonard, who is accepting applications via the Web site, youdeservehair.com until July 31.
Applicants must be unemployed, and living in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. They must submit a photo, and a 100-word essay explaining why they deserve the looks-enhancing treatments.
Applications are already flooding in, Leonard said on Friday.
One applicant, John, is a 50-year-old Rhode Island resident who just lost 160 pounds after last years gastric bypass surgery.
But even with his new sleek physique, he wrote, hes still broke and bald. Hes hoping that a full head of hair will help him get a job.
Then, theres Scott, an aspiring teacher who lives in Massachusetts. Scott, who served in the U.S. military, is getting married in September, and he and his fiancee are saving what money they do have for a costly in vitro fertilization treatment.
Hes applied for the free hair transplant, he wrote, because I feel that this hair restoration would give me that small advantage needed in todays financial crisis to find a way to help the next generation.
The first-prize winner will receive free hair restoration surgery and Botox or facial filler, while the runner-up will receive six months of free low-level laser light therapy, a nonsurgical treatment that is used to stabilize hair loss progression and promote re-growth.
In August, Leonard plans to select 20 finalists from the pool of applicants.
Then he will invite the public to vote for the most deserving candidate.
The winners will be named on Aug. 10.
Dr. Leonard who owns his own hair transplant business, has just launched an American Idol type competition
.gif)
