Father Inspired by Daughter to Donate his Long Curls

BY MELANIE BUCK –

Will Rios has given something of himself to help a child, in a big way. Rios, a combat veteran, hasn’t cut his hair since 2008, until now. Rios said, “I was deployed with C Co.,1-153rd Infantry in 2004 and 2005. While I was deployed in Iraq, LaShay, my daughter, was diagnosed with leukemia. Tammie my wife took care of her and spent countless nights at the hospital with her. She received several blood transfusions and chemo.  She was just five-years old and my wife was very strong dealing with the illness, and I was fighting two wars; the one in Iraq and her illness at home. God provided me with the strength to deal with it.”

At the age of 11, LaShay had beaten the odds and was ready to help others. She decided to cut her hair and donate her long blond curls to Locks of Love. “We are very proud of her,” Rios said.

Inspired by the courage and compassion in his young daughter, Rios felt he needed to do something as well. “It’s time for me to do the same as our daughter. I will be donating my long black curls to Wigs for Kids. This will help kids with cancer feel better when they wear the wig.”

And so he did. On Thursday, June 3^rd, after seven years of growing his hair out, Rios walked into Salon DaJon where his stylist, Tasha Bissell, waited. After combing and braiding, Bissell cut the braid, and Rios joined the long list of those who have spent so much time growing to insure someone else gets the reward and became not only a soldier for America, but also a soldier for children in need.

Wigs for Kids has been providing hair replacement and support to children for more than 30 years. They never charge the families and rely on hair and monetary donations. On their website, they state, “The effects of hair loss go deeper than just a change in a child’s outward appearance. Hair loss can erode a child’s self-confidence and limit them from experiencing life the way children should. With an injured self-image, a child’s attitude toward treatment and their physical response to it can be negatively affected also. Wigs for Kids helps children suffering from hair loss look themselves and live their lives.”

For more information on how you can help, visit www.wigsforkids.org.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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