While the minds of most girls at New Hope High School in Columbus, MS, were focused on preparing for prom recently, seventeen-year-old Caitlin McLaughlin’s head was somewhere else—under a pair of clippers.
Since her early teens, Caitlin has been dedicated to helping St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, a nonprofit facility that provides free treatment for children suffering from cancer.
“When I was twelve or thirteen, I went on a mission project to Ronald McDonald House at St. Jude. We played with the sick kids to give the parents a break for a little while, and a five-year-old boy asked me to play blocks with him. In the middle of playing, he stopped and said, ’You know, you are really nice. I know I am gonna see you in heaven one day.’ That was a real tear jerker for me,” said McLaughlin. “I was too young to understand the feelings I got from it, but I knew I had to do something to help those kids.”
Since that memorable moment at Ronald McDonald House, an organization that partners with St. Jude to provide free lodging for families of children undergoing cancer treatment, Caitlin has helped St. Jude by giving money whenever she can. But late last year, she decided it was time to get others involved as well. She set a goal to raise $1500 for the charity, and as a sign of solidarity to the children, vowed to shave her head when the goal was reached.
“They don’t have the choice to lose their hair. I have the choice, and I am not going to let them go through this alone.”
“I have a heart for these kids,” said McLaughlin. “They don’t deserve to fight this alone. They don’t have the choice to lose their hair. I have the choice, and I am not going to let them go through this alone. My saying is ‘I can sacrifice my hair if a child can live.’”
McLaughlin, pictured on social media, encourages everyone to GoGold in support of childhood cancer awareness.
When Caitlin made her promise, she had no idea that soon her efforts would be helping close to home. Just two months later, two children in her church congregation were diagnosed with cancer.
“What Caitlin did meant everything to me. It showed just how beautiful her heart truly is and how much she truly cares for these children at St. Jude.”
“When Caitlin first decided to raise money for St. Jude, we had no idea that Kensley was sick,” said Heather Brewer, whose nine-month-old daughter Kensley was diagnosed with cancer in January. “Once we did find out, we were devastated, and that’s when Caitlin’s decision to raise money for St. Jude and shave her head became real for us…My baby is sick, and all I can do is pray that in time God will heal her. What Caitlin did meant everything to me. It showed just how beautiful her heart truly is and how much she truly cares for these children at St. Jude.”
Caitlin reached her goal in late February, and after being somewhat hesitant, followed through with her promise on March 5th—five days before her senior prom. “At first I was like do I really wanna do this? But when I sat down in that chair, and they started the shaving, I was like I know what I am here for,” said McLaughlin. “This is some part of God’s plan.”
Caitlin allowed members of her church to take turns taking a swipe at her thick locks until they completely disappeared. The video capturing the moment has had quite an impact on social media over the past couple of weeks with over 3,000 views on Facebook.
McLaughlin has been amazed by the support she has received.
“I would love to see more people take action like Caitlin did. Nothing is more rewarding than helping someone in need.”
“I love that Caitlin shaved her head before prom,” said Haley Mills Alexander, a 15-year nursing veteran at St. Jude. “This was such a great way to raise awareness of the need to support St. Jude. St. Jude is a place of hope and love where families of sick children are provided with housing, food, and transportation. All medical bills are covered by donations. I would love to see more people take action like Caitlin did. Nothing is more rewarding than helping someone in need.”
Her classmates have also been impressed by her passion and dedication to St. Jude. “Everyone has been so supportive,” said Caitlin. “The day after I did it, I walked into my third block class and everyone started clapping and cheering. It was awesome.”
Caitlin plans to continue her quest to bring awareness to childhood cancer and to encourage others to give time and money to St. Jude. “I want this to be something big,” she said. “I feel like it is time for everyone to start coming together and start trying to make a difference. I’m not gonna stop until they find a cure.”