SALISBURY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Lehigh Valley teen is giving back to the cancer community, in style.
The 15-year-old cancer survivor did her part to help two donors make wigs for other kids going through cancer treatments.
“I’ll be walking out of here almost bald,” said Robert Hockenbury, Certified Bio-med Equipment Technician at Lehigh Valley Health Network. “This is a good day.”
It’s a new-do that Hockenbury has been anticipating for a long time.
“It didn’t seem to be growing fast enough for me,” said Hockenbury.
After a year and a half, Hockenbury is donating his locks in honor of those close to his heart.
“It’s going to a good cause, and that’s all that matters,” said Hockenbury. “2016, my father died of cancer, and 2017 my mother died of cancer, and I wanted to do something to help.”
Hockenbury also lost his dear friend and father figure to cancer in 2018.
“This is for them and for the kids,” said Hockenbury.
He’s putting all of his trust in 15-year-old cancer survivor Emily FaRannte and he’s joined by a special guest.
“I know, ‘Rosie;, her stuffed animal that she doesn’t let anyone else hold, and I got to hold it,” Hockenbury said.
“Rosie” is FaRannte’s toy plush Squishmallow and best friend, that helped her through her treatments.
“It’s just something in my heart was telling me, Rosie needs to sit with them,” said FaRannte.
FaRannte also chopped Lehigh Valley Health Network Patient Care Coordinator Kristina Bubrow’s hair.
“14 inches taken off,” said Bubrow.
The donations support “Wigs for Kids”, an organization that makes wigs for children going through cancer treatments.
“When I’m able to help give back to the people who helped me, I love doing it,” said FaRannte.
Hockenbury said this fresh cut marks the start of his third journey to donate his hair to the kids.
“And have all the ponytails that need to come with it,” said Hockenbury. “Absolutely.”