Boy, 9, to shave head for cancer fundraiser following autoimmune diagnosis
Riley Brown turned his own circumstances into an opportunity to help others
Losing your hair is not easy to handle, at any age.
When you're a nine-year-old boy, being bald can be even more traumatic.
Riley Brown of Grand Falls-Windsor is turning his recent diagnosis of an autoimmune disease into a positive. On Saturday, Riley will get all of his hair shaved off — and donate it to charity.
"When I first starting losing my hair, I didn't really know what to do," said Brown was diagnosed with alopecia, a condition that causes a person's hair to fall out.
"But then I thought about it, and got the idea of shaving my head for young adults and children with cancer."
Brown said he's a bit nervous about the shave, but is happy to donate monies raised to people who have cancer.
I think he's doing it for all the right reasons, and I'm amazed with the confidence he's gained with this ordeal.- Carrie Brown
"But [I am] kind of excited, because lots of people are coming to my house, and lots of people are going to donate lots of money."
Brown's mother Carrie said she noticed Riley was losing hair and took him to see a pediatrician just before Christmas to see what the problem was.
"There's not a lot known about alopecia," she said. "It sometimes comes out during different things — could be stress, it could be the body's way to defend itself. The body attacks itself," she said, adding that Riley's treatment began as soon as the family learned he was ill.
Could be temporary or for a lifetime
Riley said he stood up in front of his class this week and told his classmates about his condition.
"I told them that I was doing Shave for the Brave ... and then I was a bit nervous to tell them that I had alopecia. They had a few questions though, they asked what was alopecia," he said.
Carrie Brown said while each person's outcome is different, she's hopeful the corticosteroid that has been prescribed for Riley will take between six and eight weeks.
"But it really is unknown. It could last his whole lifetime, or it could be a temporary thing. We're hoping it's temporary," she said.
"I'm actually feeling really good about it. I think he's doing it for all the right reasons, and I'm amazed with the confidence he's gained with this ordeal. He's such a positive, caring boy. I'm just so proud of him."
The Browns are well on their way for their fundraiser. They've already raised $1,551.10.