Dozens shave heads to support cancer patient
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WENATCHEE, Wash. -- There was an unusual sight outside the Wenatchee jail Friday as deputies, attorneys, and kids gathered to support a sixth grader stuck in Seattle.
Like the inmates at Chelan County jail where his dad and grandfather are deputies, Mac Van Lith feels secluded. Only three months into six grade, doctors discovered tumors pressing on the 12-year-old's upper spine.
The rare bone cancer diagnosis days before Christmas flipped his family's world.
"It's one day, 'Hey, you have cancer and you just have to start a brand new life in a brand new city in a brand new hospital,' " said Carrie Van Lith, Mac's mother.
Mac left his brother, father, friends, and football in Wenatchee to spend the rest of his school year living at the Ronald McDonald House and Seattle Children's Hospital.
"It's really hard when your only friend's your mom for three months," Mac said.
But back on the other side of the mountains, Mac has friends he doesn't even know, all getting their hair buzzed to help Mac attack cancer.
"All the way for Mac -- a 12 year old shouldn't have to go through this," one said.
Dozens lined up by the jail. Cops, classmates and most of the jail staff paid to have their heads shaved to match Mac's.
"The only hair I got left is in my ears," another said.
The money will help Mac's family make their mortgage and medical expenses not covered by insurance.
"I got the easy part -- this is nothing, he's the man today," said Sgt. Mark McCormick.
Even Mac's grandpa met the barber.
"It makes me feel good that there's so many people supporting me," Mac said.
Itt turns out a little hair goes a long way to help a little man.
"I was scared that people would think of me with my hair gone," Mac said. "Now that people are shaving their heads, it just makes me feel like I don't need the hat anymore."
The generous gestures and prayers provide peace for Mac's mom.
"You just have that feeling it's just gonna be OK," she siad.
A very matter of fact Mac, sums up this support in six simple words.
"It just makes me feel loved," he said.
And he is.
Mac's father and younger brother had planned to shave their heads, too, but instead rushed to Children's where Mac is in isolation with a fever.
Like the inmates at Chelan County jail where his dad and grandfather are deputies, Mac Van Lith feels secluded. Only three months into six grade, doctors discovered tumors pressing on the 12-year-old's upper spine.
The rare bone cancer diagnosis days before Christmas flipped his family's world.
"It's one day, 'Hey, you have cancer and you just have to start a brand new life in a brand new city in a brand new hospital,' " said Carrie Van Lith, Mac's mother.
Mac left his brother, father, friends, and football in Wenatchee to spend the rest of his school year living at the Ronald McDonald House and Seattle Children's Hospital.
"It's really hard when your only friend's your mom for three months," Mac said.
But back on the other side of the mountains, Mac has friends he doesn't even know, all getting their hair buzzed to help Mac attack cancer.
"All the way for Mac -- a 12 year old shouldn't have to go through this," one said.
Dozens lined up by the jail. Cops, classmates and most of the jail staff paid to have their heads shaved to match Mac's.
"The only hair I got left is in my ears," another said.
The money will help Mac's family make their mortgage and medical expenses not covered by insurance.
"I got the easy part -- this is nothing, he's the man today," said Sgt. Mark McCormick.
Even Mac's grandpa met the barber.
"It makes me feel good that there's so many people supporting me," Mac said.
Itt turns out a little hair goes a long way to help a little man.
"I was scared that people would think of me with my hair gone," Mac said. "Now that people are shaving their heads, it just makes me feel like I don't need the hat anymore."
The generous gestures and prayers provide peace for Mac's mom.
"You just have that feeling it's just gonna be OK," she siad.
A very matter of fact Mac, sums up this support in six simple words.
"It just makes me feel loved," he said.
And he is.
Mac's father and younger brother had planned to shave their heads, too, but instead rushed to Children's where Mac is in isolation with a fever.
Sometimes it's the simple things that help. My daughter battled cancer during her freshman year of high school. The entire student body & staff wore purple on the day they new she was coming in to visit before treatments began. Trust me....there's nothing like walking into a sea of purple when you know it's for your child!! Some went so far as to wear purple throughout her treatment.
I'm sure that Mac's family feels the same as I did. The little things DO matter. It shows love, support & caring. Keep up the fight, Mac! Good luck through your latest hurdle. Sounds like you've got a lot of people in your corner.
Yes, a pointless, self-serving, superficial gesture done specifically to attract media attention always trumps a donation, a handwritten expression of good wishes or even a simple prayer.
@wysoumible did you watch the same media clip I did? All I saw was support, love, care and concern-all with prayers, donations and good wishes...I'm grateful I live in a valley where community support for a difficult situation is the norm, not the exception. You have NO idea what you're talking about! Â
@wysoumibleÂ
I usually do not wish ill on anyone, but in your case I will make an exception. I hope that one day YOU have to deal with a situation such as what Mac is& his family are doing now. Perhaps then you might have a little empathy, and understand why what you call a "....pointless, self-serving, superficial gesture...." can be very important.
And just who is the "self" that you consider this to be self-serving for/of?
@Getov Mylon @Denise C Please don't feed the troll. You're giving it the attention that it seeks.
Yes, I did have the thought that it might just be a troll, but couldn't help myself in case it really was an honest person. I had my say, now I'm done lol.
@ wysoumible .....This did raise a lot of money for the family by the way. Money isn't the only thing people need in this situation. Emotional support and the ourpouring of love of so many people who care is truly evident. This is only one of many things this community has done in support of the family.
This is what Carrie, Mac's mom had to say about this event:
"There are no words to describe how honored I feel to know all of you! We are so blessed by our valley and their support for our boy!!! Mac said he is no longer ashamed of his bald head and he can't believe you all did that for him... It gives new meaning to No One Fights Alone! "Â
Edit (5 minutes)@wysoumible This comment has been deleted  before I get 86'd for spouting off  about ysomiserable's sour puss.