Brotherly Love: Girl's Haircut Inspires Mission

By Ukee Washington

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A few years ago, a Bucks County hair stylist got a special request to cut the hair of a girl in the hospital. She was about to start chemotherapy and lose her long hair. That one haircut started a movement. We caught up with the stylists behind it at the Ronald McDonald House at St. Christopher's.

Young Brayden is getting a mohawk. "He's gonna look amazing," said his stylist, Alisa Vogel.

His mom Theresa Walsh is getting a haircut, too. She doesn't usually have time for the salon. She and Brayden come to Philadelphia every three weeks for treatment. He has cystic fibrosis.

"All my attention goes to taking care of Brayden," Theresa said.

On this day, Kristie Doyle and two fellow stylists brought the salon to them.

Kristie said, "So they think, for that good 45 minutes, 'I'm in a happy place. I don't have to have any needles, any shots, any surgeries. Like, this is a happy place.'"

Kristie got the idea in 2012 when she met Kayla McBride, a 9-year-old family friend from Southampton, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

"Kristie had this idea to come over and cut it shorter so it would be easier to lose," Kayla said.

Kristen McBride, Kayla's mother, said that Kristie "spent, oh gosh, an hour or two with Kayla. It just transformed the room from a sad hospital room to a party."

Over the course of Kayla's treatment, Kristie kept coming, bringing bright bows & ribbons.

"I left that day feeling like i wanted to spread this to other families and kids who are going through such harsh situations," Kristie said.

Her non-profit, Mission Kristie Cares, gives free haircuts to patients and families at the Ronald McDonald Houses at St. Christopher's Hospital and CHOP.

Maurice Taylor, resident manager of the Ronald McDonald House at St. Christopher's Hospital, said,
"It allows our families to just get a breath of fresh air."

Eight other stylists donate their time, giving 150 to 200 free haircuts a year. Kristie will always take remember Kayla's.

"If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be able to spread faith and love one haircut at a time," Kristie said.

Mission Kristie Cares accepts monetary donations to cover costs. For example, they need insurance to operate.

You can reach them at their website, www.MissionKristieCares.org