A Good Deed Indeed! Classmates Shave Their Heads to Support Their Friend With Alopecia

Third-graders in Edmond, Oklahoma in the United States decided to make their classmate Luke Nelson feel a little better about losing his hair.

Diagnosed with alopecia in November 2018, his mom Susan Nelson told People.com that once the eight-year-old lost his hair “he immediately put a hat on and he kind of hid behind his hat,” she said.

As a supportive gesture, 14 of his classmates from Oklahoma Christian School decided to get their hair shaved off in solidarity.

“We just made it a really fun hair-shaving celebration and we had donuts!” Susan tells People.com. “There was belly laughter, and kids were giving each other high fives. As soon as the haircuts started Luke ripped off his hat and he has walked around with this confidence and this swagger.”

Luke says that his classmates’ kind gesture made him feel good. “I feel more confident. I can just be myself. I think it’s important to share my story to help all those other kids that feel different,” he tells People.com.

Susan shared images of Luke’s classmates getting their hair cut to Facebook, with the words “this is what friends are for.”

She adds, “Beyond thankful for these boys (and their parents!) who decided to go bald with Luke. I mean, c’mon does it get any better than this?!”

Credit: Susan Nelson via Storyful

What is alopecia? Click here for everything you need to know, including how it affects children.