Student donates hair to less fortunate

by Staff Sgt. Jamal Sutter
23d Wing Public Affairs

4/29/2013 - VALDOSATA, Ga. -- (Editor's note: The mention of Locks of Love and Relay for Life does not constitute endorsement by Moody Air Force Base or the U.S. Air Force.)

With more than 600 of his peers cheering him on in a packed gymnasium, 14-year-old Ian Lamp sat center-court as he parted ways with something that has been part of his identity since age 6 -- his hair.

Ian, Pine Grove Middle School 8th grader and son of Master Sgt. John Lamp, 23d Component Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, cut 14 inches of his hair April 26 for donation to Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

"My heart was racing," Ian said. "I was a little bit nervous, but I had to go through with it."

His reason for cutting his hair was to do his part in the fight against cancer. Since he had family members diagnosed with cancer and after one of his 6th grade teachers died from cancer last year, he felt it was the right thing to do.

He made a promise that if any of the sports teams he played for won half of their games, he'd cut his hair, and after his soccer team reached that goal this season, he kept his word.

"While he enjoys his hair, and it's kind of his identity, I thought it was a pretty noble cause that he was willing to donate his hair," Lamp said. "Sometimes you don't think your children have that in them, and I'm very proud as a father that [he decided] to do something like that to give to somebody else."

In addition to giving away his hair, Ian also helped raise $625 for Relay for Life, which was nearly half of what the school raised this school term for the cause. He did this by placing donation bottles in each homeroom leading up to cutting his hair.

"A lot of times in middle school, it's all about 'me,' but for him to be able to raise money for cancer research and survivor's awareness is awesome," said Ken Overman, Pine Grove principal. "He's been with us from 6th through 8th [grade], so we've only known Ian with the long hair. That's his trademark. For him to offer that up, I thought that was a selfless act."

Ian, whose hair measured 22 inches before getting it cut and shaven, also played football and was often compared to a National Football League player who is also known for his long hair.

"I play football, and I play outside linebacker," Ian said. "I'm number 52 just like Clay Matthews, so everyone used to call me Clay. They say I play like him."

After cutting his hair, Ian received a shower of praise and admiration from his fellow students as they thanked and congratulated him for what he did. But there was no bigger supporter of him that day than his own father.

"I can't say enough how proud I am of what he did and what he accomplished in the contributions he's made to Locks of Love and the money he helped raise for the school," Lamp said. "As a father, I'm so proud he put himself aside and did so much for so many no matter how minor it is."