The idea of emergency services personnel to have their heads shaved was the brain-child of Frankfort firefighter and Nicholasville resident John Crum.
"I heard about Gavin's leukemia at church," he said. "We go to Southland, same as his parents. We heard it there a couple of months ago, and at that point, it really weighed on me. I lost all four grandparents to cancer, and my grandmother four days ago.
"I wanted to do something; you hate to see a kid get sick with anything, but something like this, it's just doesn't seem fair," he added.
So Crum spoke with Great Clips' Corena Sayre about a month and a half ago to begin organizing what was supposed to be a small event.
"John Crum came into the shop one day, and I had been cutting his hair for a while, and he asked me if I wanted to participate, and if I could get some people together," Sayre said. "So I got with my manager, Lynn Horn, and we're here."
Many of the hair volunteers came from across the bluegrass region as members of the Frankfort Fire Department, Nicholasville police and fire departments, Jessamine County Fire District, Lexington Police Department, University of Kentucky Police Department, Lexington Department of Corrections, Lexington Fire Department, Asbury College's men's basketball team and many others sat in the chair to say goodbye to their locks for Gavin's Cause.
Nicholasville Fire Chief Charles Brumfield, who had several firefighters donate their hair, was pleased with the response of the community.
"It makes me proud of my guys, but I'm not surprised," he said. "The guys are a close-knit group, and they are ready to step up for a good cause such as this. I was pleased to have the large turnout that we had."
Aside from the Jessamine County response, Brumfield said the turnout from the other agencies was good to see.
Gavin, of course, was the center of attention, as he toured fire trucks and police cars and had his picture taken with the many participants.
"I think he's a little overwhelmed," his mother Elizabeth Carr said. "He was excited; he's a ham, and he enjoys the attention."
Gavin's father said that his son is doing well and appreciates everyone's continued prayers.
