An Alabama teen has made a kind, thought-out gesture for kids with cancer.
Kieran Moïse, 18, dedicated six years of his life to growing out his hair after losing a friend to brain cancer, CNN reported.
The 18-year-old who embarked on the journey started growing his hair out while he was in the eighth grade after seeing others donate their hair to kids who have lost their own due to medical conditions, Moïse’s mother, Kelly Moïse, 49, told CNN.
“Kieran has always been known for his hair. It was a big part of his personality and who he was,” she said. “But he has always been the most compassionate and caring person. Since he was six years old, he somehow had the mindset of raising money and giving it to people who need it, and that never changed.”
The young man graduated from high school with his massive 19-inch afro this past May. Since he plans to join the US Air Force Academy, he will finally cut his hair.
He wanted to make sure his plan reached its maximum impact, so he organized an event at a local brewery in Huntsville, as well as an online fundraising campaign called “Kieran’s Curls for Cancer.” His goal was to earn $1,000 per inch cut.
On the day, May 29, around 100 people came out to support him. Attendees watched Moïse get his hair braided and chopped off. His locks were donated to Children With Hair Loss, a non-profit located in Michigan that makes free wigs for children and young adults who have lost their hair due to medical reasons.
At the end of the event, $20,000 had been raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and his efforts have continued to bring in more money online. As of Saturday, donations were over $39,000.
“Charitable giving comes in many forms, from direct acts of kindness to impactful public statements that motivate others to come together to support a cause,” Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, told CNN.
“Kieran’s simple act of kindness exemplifies the power of younger generations and is something to celebrate, a selfless decision that will make a direct impact on the lives of the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and children everywhere for years to come.”
“If I can do this, everyone can do this. There’s nothing special about helping others, you just have to want to do it,” Moïse said.
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