Two and a half years ago, six-year-old Christian McPhilamy started growing his hair long. Teased at school, bullied, called a girl and sometimes mistaken for one, Christian persevered and didn’t back down from his choice. He had a special goal in mind, one that would give people old and young alike a lesson in the power of good will.

The story goes that Christian, a Florida resident, was inspired by a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ad on TV and decided to grow his hair long and subsequently donate it for wigs for Children With Hair Loss.

For two and a half years he endured the incessant bullying by other children, and the pleading by grown-ups to cut his hair. But his special purpose was not yet done. Ten inch-ponytails later and a close cut, Christian’s mission was done. He donated his hair, as he had planned all along, for children less fortunate than him who had undergone chemotherapy. He is an example of the kind soul a human can possess, and something which we should all aspire to.

Well done, Christian. Keep changing lives with your actions.