Boy Ditches Hair Before Losing It to Chemo

In a two-car garage in the Broadlands subdivision in Powder Springs Sunday afternoon, supporters stood around a computer propped on a cooler, cheering and clapping for an 11-year-old boy on a computer screen.

The people shouted "We love you!" as John Willis received a haircut from his mother, Lisa. The mother-son duo were being shown live via the Internet video messenger program Skype. 

John, a sixth-grade student at , was diagnosed last month with anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system.

ALCL is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, according to the National Cancer Institute. It is rare, aggressive and affects about 3 percent of all lymphomas in adults and between 10 percent to 30 percent in children, according to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

At Sunday's gathering—entitled "The Buzz"—John beat his chemotherapy to the chase by ditching his hair prior to it falling out.

Isabel Lay-Meireles, a family friend who lives next door, coordinated the event. She said she wanted to make John's experience positive.

"We knew his hair was going to come out," she said. "I'm all about making people aware and how we can make this a more special event."

His haircut was being broadcast from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, where he has been since Friday because of a fever. The sudden fever may delay John's second round of chemo, but he's expected to come home as soon as Monday. 

More than 60 people gathered at the Willis'  home to support John. Many were wearing gold, which represents the fight against childhood cancer.

"It's definitely hard on the family and friends," said John's 13-year-old brother, Jacob. "It's always great to have a lot of support from neighbors."

Underneath a gold tent in the family's driveway, stylists from A&J Hair, Salon One and Great Clips North Cobb Parkway gave neighbors, family and friends to buzz cuts like John's.

John's father, Sam, had his hair taken off Sunday.

"We want to help him on his journey," said Sam Willis, a 43-year-old chief warrant officer for the Georgia National Guard. "Having a positive attitude does help, and that's what we're striving for."

John Erskine, a seventh-grade student who also attends Lovinggood, was ready to get his haircut.

"It makes him feel better," Erskine said. "One of my friend's had cancer once, and they just want to be with their friends."

Sam Willis said his son enjoys academics and is a member of Boy Scouts Troop 204 in Marietta. Anyone wishing to help should donate to a cancer-fighting organization, he added.

"[Cancer] definitely has to end," he said. 

Several people donated food and drinks for Sunday's event. Sparkle Bugs, a children's boutique in Hiram, provided gold balloons.

Through Skype, John expressed his appreciation.

"I feel good," he said.

Follow John's story online by clicking here.