Meet the little hero who’s captured our hearts! Two years ago, 8-year-old Josh Thompson from Maryland decided to embark on a hair-growing mission that would change lives. Inspired by a video of a young girl facing cancer, this act of kindness blossomed into something remarkable, ultimately benefiting more than one child in need.
Now, at the age of 10, Josh made the decision to grow his hair after witnessing his mom, Lisa, watching a poignant video about 5-year-old Mia, who was bravely fighting pediatric cancer. “When I explained the impact of cancer and how chemotherapy affects the body, he instantly wanted to grow his hair long to help Mia,” Lisa shared.
Thus began Josh’s epic hair-growing journey, which took about two years and five months. Sadly, during this time, Mia lost her battle with cancer and passed away in June 2015. However, Josh’s determination remained steadfast, and when his hair reached the desired length, he made the big cut. His aunt, Sarah, shared a before-and-after photo on Twitter, which quickly went viral, garnering over 61,000 retweets and 120,000 likes. It’s easy to see why!
The transformation was incredible, and Josh received an outpouring of support from classmates and strangers alike. “Since cutting his hair, the kids at school have been really supportive. His friends think what he did is super cool,” Lisa noted. Josh also mentioned, “I’m glad my hair doesn’t get caught in bushes when I play outside anymore,” a totally relatable struggle for any kid with long locks!
In the end, Josh’s generous donation provided enough hair for three children to receive wigs, bringing joy to many. Mia’s mom was overjoyed, expressing on Facebook, “Knowing that my sweet angel Mia continues to inspire others, even though she’s no longer with us, makes me a proud mom. Her legacy lives on!”
For his selfless act, Josh will be honored with an Act of Kindness Award from retired NBA star Chris Carter’s foundation at a gala in October. September also marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to remember that only four percent of national funds are allocated to childhood cancer research, as noted by the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. If you’re interested in contributing, check out this post on our other blog for more information.
In summary, young Josh Thompson’s journey to grow his hair for kids with cancer showcases the power of compassion and the impact one child can have on many lives. His story not only highlights the importance of kindness but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against childhood cancer.