Girl lends locks out of love
Published: July 11, 2007
When Hayden Gump sees his cousin, Michaela Saxon, his eyes light up, his mother said.
Hayden, 3, was born with cerebral palsy. But last year, shortly before Thanksgiving, his parents were dealt another devastating blow: their son also has a rare form of leukemia. The family has struggled with the news, and Michaela’s grandmother, Karen McCall, said she has talked with doctor after doctor about Hayden’s condition.
“Nobody can tell us anything,” Ms. McCall said.
She said most of the treatments they have learned of have been used on adults, not a patient as young as Hayden.
So in an effort to draw attention to her cousin, Michaela let her hair down one last time last week so her cousin, Rana Masters, at Pazaaz on S.C. 28 Bypass, could cut it off for Locks of Love.
The 7-year-old girl is donating 13 inches of her blonde hair to Locks of Love in honor of Hayden, to help those like him who have lost their hair because of cancer or another illness.
“This makes me happy, because I’m giving my hair to people who don’t have hair,” Michaela said.
Hayden’s mom, Jennifer Saxon, and Ms. McCall, said the girl’s outpouring of love is just the way she is.
“She’s also helping a grandmother with her Relay for Life,” Ms. McCall said. “It’s too late now, but she wants to start a Hops for Leukemia next school year as well. Anything to try to get some attention to Hayden.”
Michaela has watched Hayden struggle through his illness, Ms. Saxon said. Now, she has an opportunity to play a part, no matter how small, in his recovery.
“She’ll come and stay with us and help us out,” Ms. Saxon said. “She has a lot of love to give, and she has a really big heart.”
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