Several students and teachers at Holy Trinity School in Ligonier recently shaved their heads in a display of support for their classmate, Chad Scanlon, who is beginning to lose his hair after treatment for a cancerous brain tumor last summer.

Hair loss is one of the most upsetting side effects of chemotherapy, which affects every cell in a cancer victim’s body. The hair follicles are especially sensitive because they multiply at a rapid pace. In time they repair themselves, but until that time passes, a patient may experience temporary hair loss.

Chad, who is 12 years old and in the sixth grade at Holy Trinity, has already undergone surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. With daily trips to Pittsburgh for treatments, Chad has been missing a great deal of school. He does, however, manage to make it to school about three days a week.

Michaela Long and Rachael Tantlinger, two of Chad’s classmates, decided it was time to do something for Chad. They encouraged students to shave off their hair so Chad would feel more comfortable in school. Rachael even shaved off her own, over 11 inches, and donated it to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides wigs and hairpieces to children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. The rest of the class, as well as two teachers and two other girls, Katie Knupp and Sadie Brant, followed Rachael’s example. A total of 25 students and two teachers shaved their heads for Chad.

“I was really nervous about getting all of my hair shaved off because I knew it would all be gone, but Chad is one of my best friends and I know that if I was in that position, he’d do the same thing for me,” said Rachael. “Chad is a really caring person. He’d do anything for anyone.”

To raise money for Chad, the Hollow Tree Players performed The Cat Princess and donated all proceeds to Chad and his family. The cast, under the direction of Rita McKnight, began practicing for the play at the end of September.

“All of the volunteers put so much time and effort into making this play a success,” said Samantha McKnight, the director’s daughter. “It’s really great to see how much the community cares.”

In the future Chad wants to be a physical therapist. He used to dream of becoming a geographer, but has realized the importance of the physical therapy field. Still, he is fascinated by geography and is trying to obtain postcards from all over the world. To help Chad with his collection, postcards can be sent to Chad in care of Holy Trinity School, 327 West Vincent St., Ligonier, PA 15658.

Chad loves the support he receives from the community and his outlook remains positive.