Gino Allen would purposely let his hair grow out.

On three occasions, the fifth-grade student at Joshua Cowell School has given to Locks of Love, an organization that takes donated hair to make wigs for cancer survivors.

His most recent act of generosity was put on display at the May 4 school-wide assembly. Allen received a trim in front of the school that day.

But this haircut went to a good cause.

No one was more appreciative than Suzette Hughes, who is also a cancer survivor not to mention the school’s program coordinator.

“Gino, thank you for this gift to all of us,” she said. “You have made a difference today for all of us who have been and will be touched by cancer.”

Hughes was wearing the symbolic Relay for Life purple shirt.

“When you see purple ribbons tied around trees or signs – or even this stage – you know something big is happening in your community to celebrate that we’re getting closer to finding a cure for cancer,” she said.

Hughes shared her cancer story with the school.

“Five years ago I went to the doctor for my regular check-up, and the doctor told me that I had cancer – I wasn’t ready for that,” she recalled.

Hughes had surgery followed by four months of chemotherapy.

“All my hair fell out and I became pretty weak because of the medicines,” she added.

Hughes was thankful for Allen’s hair donation.

“The hair goes to make wigs for cancer survivors, just like the wig that I wore for eight months,” she said. “For me, at a time when I was weak and struggling with chemo – when I lost my hair – the gift of hair was a huge thing.

“It meant I could feel more normal (and) people wouldn’t stare or point at me for having a bald head.”

The assembly was a display of generosity in people – included were Allen and an organizer for Relay for Life in Modesto – and cancer awareness.