News

Jack dreams big to help others

May 29, 2018

After witnessing a friend with cancer lose his hair and then his younger brother suffer the hair loss condition ‘alopecia’, 12 year-old Jack Barns decided he wanted to help in some way.

Since then, the big hearted Joondalup boy has been growing his hair to donate it to the Variety Club’s ‘Hair with Heart’ program.

As part of the program, donated hair is used to create specialised wigs for young people with medical conditions leading to hair loss.

This week, all 35.5 centimetres of Jack’s golden locks were carefully snipped in front of supportive family members and friends, patients, staff and onlookers at Joondalup Health Campus’ Telethon Children’s Ward.

Jack also used the head shave to raise funds towards equipment and services for children in need.

So far, Jack has raised $1,200 - more than double his original goal.

Joondalup Health Campus’ Head of Paediatrics, Professor Desiree Silva, commended Jack’s efforts to help sick children calling him “an amazing and inspirational boy”.

“Hair loss can be quite devastating for a child or adolescent’s self-esteem,” Professor Silva said.

“So it is really touching to see Jack go the extra mile to help.”

In the past two years, Jack has taken extra good care of his hair with local hairdresser Sarah Ariss from ‘Hair Riot’ providing regular treatments free of charge.

Jack said the support of his friends and family has kept him motivated.

“It has been a fun journey and I encourage other kids to consider it,” Jack said.

Jack's dream is to help people in different ways, including people with disabilities and medical problems. In fact, Jack is so devoted to the cause, he says if he won $1 million in lotto he would donate $500,000 to charity and the poor, $250,000 towards medical research and the rest would be donated to animal protective services.

Ultimately he wants to become a neurologist. Keep up the good work Jack!

To make a donation to Jack’s cause, please visit: https://hairwithheart.everydayhero.com/au/jack-barns-hair-with-heart

Photo caption: Joondalup Health Campus Head of Paediatrics Professor Desiree Silva assists Jack Barns’ twin brothers Thomas and Brody with the haircut.