10-year old boy grows hair to donate to children with hair loss

    Patrick Pearce, 10, Indiana, Pa., overcame the teasing of his peers and teachers to grow his hair for Children with Hairloss, a non-profit organization that offers hair replacement to children with medical related hair loss.
    The organization, based in South Rockwood, Mich., provides a hair replacement, a care kit, a band of hair a turban, a hat, and free styling services at no cost to the recipient.
    At 7 p.m. Nov. 18 Patrick had a stylist at the Hair HUB ponytail and braid 11 inches of his long, dark blonde locks to be snipped for a donation to CWL.
    The hair Patrick donated will become a hair replacement for a child with burns, scarring, Trichotillomania — compulsive hair pulling, alopecia, or hypomellanosis of ito, or who has undergone chemotherapy or radiation.
    “My mom had told me that my grandma had cancer. When she lost all of her hair, it made me decide to do this,” Patrick said.
    When Patrick had initially began to grow his hair at the end of third grade, he stopped four months into the process due to the teasing he endured at Horace Mann Elementary school and at play on recreational sports teams.
    The irritation of his hair constantly falling in his face and hearing peers insinuate he was a girl caused him to quit, according to his mother, Alicia Pearce.
    “I started [this process earlier] and quit in the middle of it. This is the first time I have finished it.”
    When he had his hair cut the teasing stopped, save for a few people, according to Patrick
    Approximately five months later, Patrick restarted the process and saw it through growing his hair past the required 8 inches.
    Alicia and Carl Pearce are proud that their son has stuck to his course to ease the suffering of others despite his own suffering — being the butt of jokes geared to effeminate the young boy.
    “He can’t cure cancer, but he can at least ease someone’s suffering by doing this,” Carl said.
    “It’s to the point where it’s just time,” said Alicia on the Sunday prior to the cut. “If he keeps growing it might be damaged because of split ends.”
    His parents believe that they’ve heard more positive feedback than Patrick has but Alicia added “when you’re ten [the teasing] is what stands out.”
    When asked if he would consider growing his hair to donate again, Patrick said, “years from now, yes.”
    By involving their children in volunteerism early, the Pearce’s seek to teach them that they must be a positive influence in the world, according to Alicia.
    CWHL accepts donations of clean hair at least eight inches in length and in a ponytailed and braided.
    Non-chemically treated hair is preferred, but any hair in good condition (including chemically-treated or gray hair) will be accepted.
    Donors, like Patrick, will receive a certificate in appreciation of their kindness.
    For more information on CWHL visit childrenwithhairloss.us or call 734-379-4400.
 

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Tue Dec 22 2009 15:00

As a teacher, I am really upset that the school would allow the teasing/bullying of this young man. He should have been recognized by the principal and teachers so that the other students could understand what charity is and what he was doing. I think if the school had backed him from the start, then the kids would have understood and hopefully the teasing wouldn't have happened! I praise this student for thinking of others and I pray the teacher, students, and school apologize for not applauding his efforts!

Jeff

Sat Dec 5 2009 18:00

When I found out what Patrick was doing, I was more than a little impressed, but not surprized. I coached Patrick in football during his first year in the youth program. I can tell you that he was a hard worker and a great young man to work with. He always gave 100% on and off the field. I am, and I know that his parent's are very proud of the fine young man that Patrick is becoming. Young men and women like Patrick are the future, we should all be proud of them!

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