TOM HAYES
By TOM HAYES
DONATIONS can come in many forms and can be provided by many different people, but for a child to make the decision, makes it all the more special.
A young student from Hazelwood North Primary School is preparing to donate his hair for children with cancer, after growing it for several years.
Harri Tutin, a Grade 5 student at HNPS, has always had long, thick hair, and as it continued to grow, he decided he would eventually shave it off for a good cause.
“All the teachers are like ‘good job for doing this’, because all of the other kids have got mullets,” Harri said.
“I’m okay with cutting it bald now, because one, I’m older, two, it gets in my face every time I do sports.”
Harri rides motorbikes and players soccer, so you can only imagine how long hair can get in the way!
Upon research, he and his mum, Tanya, found a foundation that would not only donate 100 per cent of the proceeds, but also keep the hair in Australia for sick kids.
It was discovered that Harri had to continue to grow his hair out to 35 centimetres long in order to cut it into a wig.
“Obviously doing it for a cause, he’s got something for it to work towards now,” Tanya said.
So, during COVID he grew his locks out past his shoulders and further down his back.
Tanya and Harri found the foundation Wigs 4 Kids, which met their criteria, so a fundraiser was made.
As Harri grew his hair out, his mum unfortunately was diagnosed with breast cancer.
During this heart-wrenching experience, he was able to witness first-hand what cancer patients go through.
Thus, his connection to the fundraiser only became stronger and had much more of a deeper meaning.
Both have admitted that this experience has shed light on cancer and its affects, creating a learning opportunity for many people in the community.
During this experience, the family has noticed unintended awareness being raised, not only throughout the school but within friend groups too.
“When you go through cancer treatment, you tend to hide away from society, because you’re just not well,” Tanya said.
“Even as a family we hid away for a bit.”
Throughout the hair-growth journey, Harri has had to maintain his hair in good condition in order for it to be neat enough to donate.
“He washes it and brushes it, has to brush it twice a day, has to wear it up for school,” Tanya said.
“He’s got quite dry hair, so he has to put argan oil in it every couple of days and let it sit.”
Harri has planned to cut his hair at school, in another fundraiser, in early May.
Some more details are being ironed out, but his hair has now reached the suitable length.
Donations are accepted on Harri’s page, with 100 per cent of the proceeds to go towards the charity at fundraise.kidswithcancer.org.au/fundraisers/harrytutin/wigs-4-kids
Long: Harri’s hair extends past his shoulders, as he gets it ready to be cut into a wig.
