Selfless Boy Grew out his Hair for 2 Years so he can Make a Wig for a Friend with Alopecia
For the past 2 years, 10-year-old Tyler Boone has been growing his hair out to make a wig for his friend, 12-year-old Gabby Ruiz. During the process of this selfless gift, he has learned to ignore bullies and countless comments that have mistaken him for a girl.
After meeting years ago, the two have shared a friendship despite living a hundred miles apart.
When Gabby was 4-years-old, she was diagnosed with alopecia-areata, a hair loss disorder where the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Over the years, she has tried a variety of treatments but has not been able to grow her hair. So when Tyler met Gabby, he decided to grow his hair for her.
With a smile, Tyler told, “I’m used to it now… I just want to make her happy.”
On Thursday December 29th, the duo and their families met at the JCPenney’s store in Florida’s Westfield Brandon Mall. There, the two shared endless amounts of laughter during their photoshoot before the big haircut they all had been waiting for. Gabby personally cut 12 inches of Tyler’s hair. The photographer captured the before, after and all the wonderful moments in between. The hair will be donated to Children with Hair Loss, a nonprofit organization that will make a wig just for Gabby.
Gabby and Tyler have set the standards of what the essence of a friendship should be – selfless effort, love and lots of laughter.
