Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in April 2017. 

Phoebe Kannisto and her six sons have turned haircuts into an inspiring family affair. This extraordinary story of compassion and unity sees the Kannisto family growing their hair to donate it for a noble cause.

Phoebe’s family is an amazing example of dedication to helping others. The brood includes Andre, the eldest at 10 years, identical twins Silas and Emerson at 8, fraternal triplets Herbie, Reed, and Dexter at 5, and their youngest addition, 2-year-old Marah Taylor.

This Monday, the Kannisto family visited Hizair Hair Salon, a local establishment. Their collective effort resulted in shedding 17 feet of hair, which they donated to Children with Hair Loss. This organization provides hair replacements to children experiencing medically related hair loss.

The motivation behind this act was deeply personal for the Kannisto family. Phoebe shared, “Three years ago, my friend lost her son to cancer. They are twin and almost in same age to my twins. On the first anniversary of his passing, my three oldest boys donated their hair in his memory. After their donation two years ago, our lives have continued to be touched by cancer. It’s everywhere. My boys want to help, and donating their hair is how they do it.”

Phoebe Kannisto, living just outside Buffalo, New York, has been donating her hair on and off since her teenage years. The entire family rallied behind this cause, with her three eldest sons participating for the first time in 2015. This month’s donation marked a significant milestone as her triplets reached the required hair length for contributions.

The process was a lesson in patience, with hair growth rates varying. Andre, the eldest, grew his hair for a year, the twins for nearly two years, and the triplets for an impressive five years. Their dedication extends into the future, as they’re already planning their next contribution, with their little sister expressing a strong desire to participate.

Despite the family’s admirable commitment, the sons faced teasing for their long hair as they grew it out for donation. In the face of adversity, they displayed resilience, developing “a thick skin” that helped them to persevere, knowing they were making a meaningful contribution to those in need.

Kannisto expressed her immense pride in her boys, acknowledging their mission as “amazing.” She spoke of their strong desire to help other children, noting that “They’re already making predictions on how long it will take them to grow their hair out to donate again.”

Sources: Huffpost