Shaving locks for a cure

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Inspired by his older brother Ken Jr., who was the first in his family to shave his head for cancer, 11-year-old Grade 6 Wheatland Elementary student Chris Hitch followed suit after the recent passing of his grandfather and grandmother.
On June 26, he did his part by shaving his long hair in front of his peers, where he donated his locks to make wigs for kids who are battling cancer.
Hitch, who was diagnosed with ADHD and asthma at a young age, did not have second thoughts about helping out kids who are suffering more than he is.
“It was Grade 4 that my grandpa passed away,” said Hitch. “I wanted to sort of help find a cure for cancer and I heard that they were doing a head shaving for them.”
At school, his fellow classmates told him to get a hair cut and he thought getting rid of his hair for a cure was the best way to do it.
“Most of the time I would see some kids who were bald and I would think why don’t they have a wig,” said Hitch. “My parents say ‘get a hair-cut and donate it.'”
Both of his parents, Ken and Angela, could not be any more proud of their youngest child to help cancer patients.
“That’s really important, he’s got ADHD and severe asthma, so he’s very heartfelt with people,” said Ken. “When he heard that his brother was going to do it, he asked his mom and I if he could do it and I said ‘yeah, as long as you keep it going.'”
Ken said that Chris is determined to fundraise.
“He already has close to $200 worth of pledges,” said Ken. “We’re actually going to run it through the summer time here because I’m in a business, my wife’s in a business, we know a lot of people.”
Chris added that he will probably try and shave it more than once for cancer once he grows it back to his long length again.
If you would like to donate you can, visit www.locksoflove.org.