A young boy’s compassionate journey has touched many hearts. Nearly three years ago, an 8-year-old named Jacob Miller from Maryland was moved to grow his hair long after witnessing a video about a little girl undergoing chemotherapy. This act of kindness not only aimed to help one child but has ultimately benefited multiple kids fighting cancer.
Now at the age of 10, Jacob was inspired by his mother, Emily, who was watching a heartfelt video featuring 5-year-old Mia Thompson, who was bravely battling pediatric cancer. “When I explained what cancer was and how chemotherapy affected Mia, he immediately wanted to grow out his hair to donate it to her,” Emily shared.
Thus began Jacob’s mission to cultivate his beautiful locks. His mother noted that the process took about two years and five months. Tragically, during this time, Mia lost her battle with cancer in July 2015. However, Jacob remained resolute in his goal, continuing to grow his hair until it reached a length suitable for donation. After a dramatic transformation, his aunt Sarah shared a before-and-after picture on Twitter, which quickly garnered over 61,000 retweets and 120,000 likes, highlighting the impact of his selfless gesture.
The support Jacob received from his peers has been overwhelmingly positive. “The kids at school have embraced his change. His friends think it’s really awesome what he’s done,” Emily commented. Jacob expressed relief that his hair no longer gets caught in branches while he plays outside, a challenge he faced with long hair that was well worth it.
The hair Jacob donated proved to be enough to create wigs for three children in need. Mia’s mother expressed her gratitude on Facebook, stating, “Knowing that my sweet angel Mia continues to inspire others, even in her absence, fills me with pride. Her legacy lives on.”
In recognition of his extraordinary kindness, Jacob will receive an Act of Kindness Award from the Stamina Foundation, established by retired NBA player Mark Thompson, during a gala event this coming October. September is recognized as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the fact that only four percent of national funding is allocated to childhood cancer research, according to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. To learn more about contributing to this cause, consider visiting CURE Childhood Cancer.
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In summary, Jacob Miller’s heartwarming act of growing his hair for nearly three years to support children with cancer showcases the power of kindness and the impact one individual can have on many lives. His story serves as an inspiration to others, making a lasting difference in the fight against pediatric cancer.