By FireRescue1 Staff
ORANGEVALE, Calif. — Hundreds of firefighters showed their support for a boy’s fundraiser by shaving their heads.
KCRA reported that 10-year-old Mason Anderson lost his father, firefighter Tim Anderson, to cancer before his mother, Lacey, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer last year.
Mason first decided to support his mother through her chemo by shaving his head.
“When I found out that she had to lose her hair and go through all of this, I didn’t want her to have to go through it alone. So I decided I would shave my head with her,” he said.
Mason also put the call out to firefighters, and 150 of them showed up at the Anderson residence to shave their heads in support of Lacey.
Lacey is now cancer free, but Mason decided to launch Brave the Shave as a fundraiser this year.
“This year, it is not about me. This year, it’s about firefighters and cancer and how we can help them be more aware of the risks of that they are facing,” Lacey said.
Local firefighters, as well as firefighters from across the country, agreed to shave their heads for the fundraiser. All funds raised will be donated to firefighters and their families who have cancer.
Firefighter Robert Anthony, who was best friends with Mason’s dad, said he was amazed by Mason’s will to help those grieving.
“Us as firefighters, most of the time we are the ones that are out there trying to fix somebody’s bad day and make it better. And here is an 11-year-old boy doing that for us firefighters. It’s a huge step for him. I’m very proud of him,” Anthony said.
Mason said he knows his dad would be proud of his efforts.
“A lot of people can come into this and focus on the challenges and the obstacles. Instead of that, Mason is able to see how we can make something fun,” Lacey said.
https://www.facebook.com/bravetheshavewithmasonanderson/posts/570243120087550 https://www.facebook.com/bravetheshavewithmasonanderson/videos/365345074214580/