Boy gets a haircut for a cause

BATAVIA – Katrina Salon hairstylist Sarah Ernzen smiled at 2-year-old Tyler Heffley of Sycamore as she got ready to cut his long locks.

"You have pretty eyes," Ernzen said. "We're going to see them after you get your haircut."

Monday was the first time Tyler ever had a haircut. He donated his leftovers to the Michigan-based nonprofit group Children with Hairloss, which was created as a resource for all children who have medical-related hair loss.

"We thought it would be a good way to help out kids who lose their hair," said Tyler's mother, Laura Heffley. "He's had his bangs trimmed but never a haircut."

Tyler's 5½-year-old brother, Peyton, was diagnosed with cancer when he was 2½, and Tyler was born one week before Peyton finished his last round of chemotherapy. Peyton's cancer has been in remission for two years, and the family celebrated by giving Tyler a haircut.

"This is Tyler's way of paying it forward," Heffley said. "I think he will like not having to get his hair brushed and not being sweaty."

Ernzen, a family friend, was happy to help.

"I lost my dad to cancer," she said. "Everybody has a story about cancer. It's not fair to see it in somebody this young."

Heffley is hopeful Peyton's cancer will not come back.

"Once he's at five years, he's considered cured," she said.

Peyton also got a trim Monday.

"Peyton wanted to do it because his brother was getting a new hairstyle," Heffley said.

Peyton said he liked his brother's new haircut, and Tyler was getting used his, too.

"I think he's trying to still figure it out," Heffley said.

Information about Children with Hairloss and how to make a donation is available at www.childrenwith
hairloss.us.