‘I didn’t want to be known as the sick kid.’ LS kids donate hair in classmate’s name

Liliana Haggerty was one day into cheer camp at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School in June 2019 when it first started. The next morning, the 13-year old noticed the situation was getting worse. Her hair was falling out and she knew she would soon be bald.

It was the result of chemotherapy for the teenager, now 14, who had Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“Losing my hair was just really hard,” said Liliana, who was diagnosed in April 2019. ”I felt so awful. I didn’t want people to look at me differently. I didn’t want to be known as the sick kid.”

Her parents, April and Anthony Haggerty, immediately went looking for solutions for hair replacements. But wigs for children were hard to come by, and expensive — as much as $1,000.

April Haggerty had a friend who recommended a national organization called Children with Hair Loss, which donates wigs to cancer patients. They reached out.

“Getting my wig was a big excitement for me,” Liliana said. “It was an incredible feeling. It made me really happy.”

Four chemotherapy treatments later, after spending a summer at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Liliana wears her wig proudly. She is cancer free.

In honor of her milestone, 28 girls and two staff members turned out at St. Michael the Archangel to support Liliana by making a sacrifice: They cut their hair to donate to Children with Hair Loss.

Entitled “Cuts for Cancer,” six local stylists donated time and supplies to cut 8 inches of hair off each participant. Some 200 students and staff packed the gymnasium on Jan. 31 to bear witness. In addition to 240 inches of hair, the event raised more than $500 in sales of colored bracelets. All donations are going to Children with Hair Loss.

“I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to show the community’s support for Liliana and her journey by hosting a drive for girls to donate their hair,” said Colleen McNamara the senior class captain who organized the event in conjunction with Liliana. “I was in awe of how many girls were willing to donate their hair.”

The crowd included Liliana’s parents, four siblings and extended family. Liliana took the microphone to thank everyone for coming. She reminded the school that the small donation of hair they were making would have a tremendous impact on other young girls with cancer.

“I love Liliana so much,” said participant and cousin Jacqueline DeMarea, 16, a sophomore whose hair Liliana cut herself as family looked on. “I want her to know I’m here with her. I’ve been with her from the start.”

Father Randy Sly, school president, offered a benediction.

“We thank you Lord; we are able to bring some normalcy to the lives of these young ladies who are battling this dreaded disease,” he said.

Since her diagnosis, Liliana also created a charity called PBJ where she rallied people to donate pediatric items, blankets and “jammies” and socks to the Ronald McDonald House.

For April and Anthony Haggerty, the day was extra special. One day prior, they received news that Liliana’s six month checkup revealed the cancer was gone.

“She taught us what it’s like to be a strong, loving person,” April said with her husband by her side at the assembly, choking back tears. “She’s my favorite person. She’s my hero.”

This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 12:00 AM.