Two years ago, 8 year-old Christian McPhilamy from Melbourne, Florida, saw a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital commercial that changed his life forever.
He decided to grow out his hair and donate it to the Children With Hair Loss foundation.
![8 year old grows out hair for kids in need](http://www.sunnyskyz.com/uploads/2015/06/e4pzi-boy-grows-hair2.jpg)
Courtesy of Deeanna Thomas
It was not an easy task for a boy his age.
"He has endured an awful lot of criticism, and yes even bullying, throughout this time," his mother, Deeanna, wrote on Facebook. "From his peers calling him a girl to even coaches and family friends telling him he should cut it or offering him money to."
![8 year old grows out hair for kids in need](http://www.sunnyskyz.com/uploads/2015/06/5nhzg-boy-grows-hair3.jpg)
Courtesy of Deeanna Thomas
Christian and his mom have a nightly ritual where they search for whatever interests him online, Today reports. Although he's usually interested in researching animals, that night, Christian looked up St. Jude's. When an ad for a hair donation charity popped up, Deeanna explained to him that cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy sometimes accept hair donations.
"And he said, 'I want to do that,'" Deeanna told Today.
![8 year old grows out hair for kids in need](http://www.sunnyskyz.com/uploads/2015/06/ps8v3-boy-grows-hair1.jpg)
Courtesy of Deeanna Thomas
After two years of growing out his hair, Christian reached his goal and donated four 10-inch ponytails.
![8 year old grows out hair for kids in need](http://www.sunnyskyz.com/uploads/2015/06/xclhl-boy-grows-hair5.jpg)
Courtesy of Deeanna Thomas
"He has never once, strayed from his goal and always took the time to educate others on why he made the choice to grow his hair. I am one proud mommy as always."
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