Stacey Robinson didn’t have to do it. And no one would have blamed her if she hadn’t done it.
Robinson sat in a chair at Sensory Time, an indoor play center in Murrieta. Then -- smiling brightly, eyes dancing -- she bravely allowed her head to be shaved in honor of her friend Lizeth's daughter, Christina. (Kerri S. Mabee/SWRNN)
However, this Menifee mom was not satisfied to simply toss a couple of bucks at a cause and go about her day.
She wanted to make a point. And that she did.
Robinson sat in a chair Saturday at Sensory Time, an indoor play center in Murrieta.
Then — smiling brightly, eyes dancing — she bravely allowed her head to be shaved in honor of her friend Lizeth’s daughter, Christina.
Read: Local mom pledges shaved head to raise funds for sick child
Christina Loya, a Menifee resident, had been experiencing stomach aches and vomiting in June when her parents Ruben and Lizeth brought her to a doctor.
After extensive testing at the Naval Medical Center and Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, Christina was diagnosed in August with a Stage 3 undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma tumor of the liver.
The ordeal has been an emotional whirlwind for Christina’s devastated parents, Robinson said.
So she did what any amazing friend would do — she established a fund to benefit the family, set a goal and announced that she would donate her hair to Locks of Love to be used to create wigs for other cancer patients.
Menifee residents Stacey and Sam Robinson (Kerri S. Mabee/SWRNN)
“I am so proud of her,” said Stacey’s husband Sam, snapping before and after pictures.
Donating the hair surely would have been enough, but Stacey opted to have her head shaved to share Christina’s burden of a bald head while she undergoes chemotherapy.
She said she’ll keep shaving it until Christina wraps up her chemo.
“It’s been hard to think of anything else but Christina right now,” said Lizeth Loya.
But, she added Stacey’s sacrifice was “inspiring.”
Lizeth said that Christina’s tumor has shrunk by one-third since beginning cancer treatment.
Stacey’s boss and Sensory Time owner Lauren Allums said that she was not surprised at Stacey’s idea and was glad to be a part of it.
“Christina’s family has always been near and dear to Stacey’s heart. I feel blessed to be offering help in any way I can,” Allums said.
Stacey has moved on from her original goal of raising $1,000 for the Loya family’s growing expenses — $1,300 has been raised so far –and is now hoping to garner $5,000 in support.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation to the Loya family can do so by visiting www.youcaring.com.
Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at kerri.mabee@swrnn.com. Follow me on Twitter @kerrimabee.
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What a wonderful thing to do for a child.
I would like to share, that Gigi Hill Bags, has a fundraising program that gives back 50% of the sales to the fundraising group.
Anyone, can do the fundraiser for the group. Please let me know if this is something that would help Christina.