Most six-year-olds would struggle to commit to anything for more than a few days, never mind a decision that would take years to complete and attract criticism from classmates and adults alike.

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But when Christian McPhilamy saw an advert about children living with cancer, he decided he wanted to help in one of the most direct ways available to him: by growing his hair long enough to be turned into a wig.

Christian, from Melbourne, Florida, was six when he watched a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital commercial about paediatric cancer in late 2012. The advert prompted him to ask questions about children who lose their hair during treatment and how donated hair can be used to support them.

His mother, Deeanna Thomas, explained the process to him.

“I told him that’s where you donate your hair to kids with cancer, to make wigs from your hair,” she told Florida Today. “And he said, ‘I want to do that.’”

It was a simple answer, but Christian followed through with a level of determination few would expect from somebody so young.

For the next two-and-a-half years, he allowed his blonde hair to grow, resisting repeated pressure to cut it even as the comments became increasingly hurtful. By the time he was eight, his hair was long enough to donate, but reaching that point meant enduring insults from other children and criticism from adults who did not understand why he was doing it.

According to his mother, some classmates called him a girl, while coaches and family friends also told him he should get his hair cut. Some even offered him money to change his mind.

“He has endured an awful lot of criticism, and yes even bullying, throughout this time. From his peers calling him a girl to even coaches and family friends telling him he should cut it or offering him money to,” Thomas wrote in a social media post, via The Independent.

Christian admitted the remarks affected him.

“Some people tried to call me a girl,” he said, explaining that the comments made him feel “not very good”.

Even so, he refused to abandon the goal he had set after seeing the St. Jude advert.

“I just wanted to give a wig away,” he said.

His mother later shared a longer account of the journey, describing how Christian had researched the issue and remained focused despite the reaction his appearance sometimes received.

“2 years ago my son saw a St. Jude commercial that changed his life forever. He chose to do his own research and find a way to help. After 2 years of growing his hair, Christian has reached his goal of donating over 10 inches in 4 ponytails. He has chosen to donate to the “Children with hair loss” foundation. He has endured an awful lot of criticism, and yes even bullying, throughout this time. From his peers calling him a girl to even coaches and family friends telling him he should cut it or offering him money to. Even still, he has never once, strayed from his goal and always took the time to educate others on why he made the choice to grow his hair. I am one proud mommy as always.”

When the time finally came for the haircut in 2015, Christian’s family gathered in his room to mark the moment. His parents straightened his hair before it was cut, with Thomas explaining that it was naturally extremely thick and curly.

The finished donation consisted of four substantial ponytails. Three measured 11 inches, while the fourth was 12 inches long.

They were sent to Children With Hair Loss, an organisation supporting children affected by hair loss connected to cancer treatment and other conditions, including alopecia, trichotillomania and burns. The donated hair could then be used to provide replacements without cost to the children receiving them.

For Christian’s family, the haircut represented far more than a change of appearance. It was the completion of a promise he had made at six years old and maintained through more than two years of teasing, unwanted advice and pressure to stop.

“I was blown away,” Thomas said. “Usually when Christian sets his mind to something he pretty much goes with it. He doesn’t let anything falter his goals.”

His stepfather, Scott Norris, was similarly overwhelmed when Christian’s long wait finally came to an end.

“I was blown away,” he said. “I was just filled with joy and pride, and it was awesome.”

Christian’s donation may have been measured in inches, but its effect travelled much further. His story was later included in Stories For Boys Who Dare To Be Different, where it encouraged other young readers to consider doing the same.

One child who encountered Christian’s story in the book later decided to grow and donate his own hair, despite receiving similar remarks along the way. That response showed how one boy’s decision could inspire others long after his own haircut had taken place.

Christian did not begin growing his hair because he wanted attention, and he did not continue because the process was easy. He carried on because he had seen children facing something frightening and unfair, discovered one practical way to help and refused to let other people’s opinions change his mind.

At an age when being accepted by classmates can feel enormously important, he chose to stand out for the sake of children he had never met.

The result? Four ponytails measuring between 11 and 12 inches, a donation capable of helping a child dealing with hair loss and a story that has continued to encourage others to act with the same empathy.

Well done, Christian! The world needs more people like you!

Featured image credit: Facebook/deeanna.thomas.7