Young boy donates 17 inches of hair

Shelley Trudeau got a little misty-eyed while watching her six-year-old son, Aaron Trudeau-Clark, get his long, silky, black ponytail chopped off, and then receive a short haircut.

Her emotions were understandable, as it was Aaron's first haircut ever. In aboriginal culture, children traditionally aren't supposed to have their hair cut until they're seven years old.

But Aaron wanted to donate his locks to be made into a wig for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatments, and his mom couldn't say no. “It's all good — he wants it done,” Shelley said.

The Grade 1 student at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School ended up donating 17 inches of hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths after getting his hair cut Dec. 4 at the Modern College of Hairstyling and Esthetics.

The Trudeau-Clark family also did a bit of canvassing among family and friends, and raised more than $660 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Aaron was a bit shy to say much to NorthernLife.ca, but when asked if it felt good to get his hair cut, he answered with a resounding “Yes!” The little boy couldn't stop smiling as his hair got shorter and shorter.

Canadian Cancer Society volunteer engagement co-ordinator Lindsay Jones was on hand to pick up the cash donations, which she said will go to fund childhood cancer research.

“We're just really, really grateful that Aaron and his mom contacted us and are willing to support the Canadian Cancer Society,” said Jones. “We're really appreciative of their efforts.”