Panama hat of the first towns to start weaving the hats in the Andes is Principal, part of the Chordeleg Canton in the Azuay province. Straw hats woven in Ecuador, like many other 19th and early 20th century South American goods, were shipped first to the Isthmus of Panama before sailing for their destinations in Asia, the rest of the Americas and Europe, subsequently acquiring a name that reflected their point of international sale—"panama hats"—rather than their place of domestic origin. The term was being used by at least 1834. The popularity of the hats increased in the mid-19th century when many
Hats Off for Cancer Hats Off for Cancer Hats Off for Cancer (HOC) is a United States 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides support for children affected by cancer. The signature activity of the charity is to collect donated hats for distribution to children battling cancer—especially children with alopecia resulting from their treatment. The organization estimates that it has coordinated the distribution of over 1.5 million hats since 1996. The organization was founded in 1996 by Tara A. Lawrence, whose grandfather died from prostate cancer in 1992. Lawrence initially volunteered with the American Cancer Society, where she was exposed to children battling cancer who were