The Native American culture I grew up in is the long-hair clan and we believe in cutting our hair only in profound circumstances. I cut it unknowingly when I was a youth, I cut it when my grandfather Saba Yosef died, and when my dad John died suddenly of cancer in 2015.

In Spring 2024, in honor of my dad's death anniversary and the birthdays of my grandparents, I will show respect and I’ll honor the Native American culture of giving by sacrificing the symbol of my strength: my hair. I plan to donate my cut hair and would love others to pledge to donate with me. Together, our donations will benefit Children with Hair Loss, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically related hair loss.

Simultaneously, I will be fundraising for two meaningful organizations because of the care they provided my dad and my family: SIH Cancer Institute and Hospice of Southern Illinois. I pledge to donate my hair at a rate of $977/inch. I have a $25,000 goal, or I will completely shave my head if I raise $30,000 for these organizations.

Please join me in raising money and honoring my father. I hope to have a huge party to celebrate my haircut and the cuts of those who may donate with me. The plan is to monitor fundraising, with the goal of raising money in the year from my dad's death anniversary in 2023 through the anniversary in 2024.