Firefighters shave heads to show support for boy
Published: August 30, 2006
Buzzzzzzzzzz.
Twelve-year-old Josh Munoz played barber for the day as he pushed a hair clipper up and down a firefighter’s head.
“This is going to make me feel good that I am not the only one with a shaved head,” said Josh, who wore a baseball cap to cover his baldpate from battling cancer. “They are nice and generous to be doing this.”
More than 40 firefighters and cadets walked away with a buzz cut Friday at Peoria Fire Station No. 1 to show their support for the Glendale boy and other child cancer patients. Josh is the son of fire Capt. Mike Munoz.
“We promised him when his hair fell out, we would shave our heads,” said firefighter Hunter Clare, who spearheaded the event. “This is an initial kickoff to help out cancer foundations, especially Phoenix Children’s Hospital.”
Firefighters also donated $1,000 and an event for the public is scheduled for next month, said Clare, who volunteers at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Firefighters picked Aug. 25 for the event because it’s the 10th anniversary of Peoria firefighter John Valentine’s death from brain cancer.
Battalion Chief Rick Picard said the children don’t feel so much like outcasts after seeing firefighters, often looked up to as role models, sporting shaved heads.
“It’s much easier to be a hero in their fight against cancer when they look and feel like their heroes,” said Picard, who was second in line for a crew cut.
Munoz said his son was diagnosed July 4 with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare childhood cancer, after complaining about stomach cramps.
“The prognosis is pretty good, a 90 percent cure rate that it won’t come back later in life,” said Munoz, who gave pointers to his son during the hair shearing.
Josh lost his hair about two to three weeks ago after his second round of chemotherapy, Munoz said. Each chemotherapy session takes a week and Josh is due for two more rounds.
“I can’t take the needles and medicine,” said Munoz, whose head was shaved earlier in the day. “But I can mirror what is happening to him to show support.”
Firefighter Jenn Schroeder also showed her support by sacrificing 10 inches of her blond hair, which will go to Locks of Love, a non-profit group that makes wigs for children who lost their hair due to a medical condition.
“Oh my gosh, wow,” Schroeder said after she ran her hands over her close-shaven head. “My head feels so small.
“I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve had it long most of my life.”
Trevor Cameron, 12, accompanied Josh to the station for the event.
“I shaved my hair almost two weeks ago because he is my friend,” the Glendale youth said. “All my friends are doing it. It’s to encourage him to fight his cancer.”
Stacey Munoz said her son has not complained at all about his illness.
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