PHELANA HUGHES IS just 12 years old, but that isn’t stopping her cutting her long hair off today to help someone less fortunate.
Little Cian Byrne, who won’t be two until June, was born with Cri du Chat (Cry of the Cat) and Partial Down’s Syndrome.
He can’t swallow unaided and requires round-the-clock care.
Phelana, from Dun Laoghaire, South Dublin, has never met Cian (his family hail from Finglas), but was inspired to act by following the toddler’s Facebook page.
Cian’s aunt Lisa Kennedy-Byrne who runs the blog and donations site www.careforcian.ie told TheJournal.ie that Phelana’s gesture is “touching”.
“We received word via Phelana’s mammy Samantha that Phelana was growing her hair specifically to cut it off in aid of Cian,” she said.
We would love to have Cian and Phelana meet after the haircut, though that may not be possible as it can be quite hazardous for Cian to meet strangers as he can get very sick very quickly.
Phelana will donate her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation, an organisation that makes wigs for cancer sufferers out of donated human hair.
All money she raises will go towards buying Cian a P Pod chair, a sort of specialised orthotic chair that will help make him as comfortable as possible given his limited movement.
The haircut itself is taking place at Regent Hair Design, Dun Laoghaire, at 3.30pm today.
Phelana’s mother Samantha Hughes told TheJournal.ie that she’s “absolutely over the moon” with her daughter’s kind act.
“We’d been following Cian’s story on Facebook for so long, we’re delighted to be able to help,” she said.
It’s for such a good cause, this little fella is an absolute diamond.
If you would like to donate to Cian’s cause you can do so at www.careforcian.ie.
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