A Boy Grew His Hair Out for 2 Years to Donate It to a Friend With Alopecia
Tyler Boone, a 10-year-old boy from Georgia, has been growing his hair out for two years — and has dealt with being mistaken for a girl the entire time — so he could eventually have the hair turned into a wig for his friend Gabby Ruiz, 12, a girl with alopecia, according to ABC Action News in Tampa Bay, Fla.
In two years, Boone was able to grow his shiny brown hair a whopping 12 inches. “I’m used to it now,” he said when asked what it felt like to have such long locks. On Thursday, though, the pair decided it was time for the big chop. But first, the friends headed over to J.C. Penney at nearby Westfield Brandon Mall to commemorate the big day with a pre-cut photo shoot. After the shoot, Ruiz had the honor of lopping off Boone’s hair, which was pulled up into a ponytail. “Was it hard to cut off?” Ruiz was asked, to which she responded in the affirmative.
No one asked or told Boone to do this incredibly selfless act, it all came from inside his heart. He told ABC Action News that he grew out his hair because he knew a wig would make Ruiz happy. Though people have mistaken Boone for a girl, the kid takes it all in stride. “I’ve kinda gotten used to it,” he says to his on-camera interviewer with a grin.
Ruiz was diagnosed at the age of 4 with alopecia areata, a hair-loss condition that affects about 6.8 million Americans of all ages, sexes, and ethnic groups, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. The style-savvy girl has gotten great at accessorizing her head with beanies and scarfs, and at taking great care of her skin and nails, according to ABC Action News, but Boone just knew a wig would be a gift she’d really cherish.
This pair is friendship goals if we’ve ever seen them, giggling during the photo shoot, high-fiving each other, and simply being kind to each other. Their bond shines through and is an inspiration.
After the shoot and the big chop, Boone and Ruiz headed over to a nearby salon so Boone could get a proper cut from a professional. “I feel so different!” the boy said while patting his newly shorn hair. “It’s so cool,” his pal Ruiz chimed in.
Boone’s grown-out hair will be donated to a nonprofit, Children with Hair Loss, to make a wig for Ruiz, according to the publication. Ruiz lives in Florida, and the friends have remained close after meeting years ago, even though they live miles apart, according to the article. Now Ruiz will literally have a piece of her friend to keep with her forever. It’s hard to imagine the bright-eyed girl looking any better, but we can’t wait to see what she looks like with her new hair.
Can somebody please pass the tissues?
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