River Heights students chop their hair for classmate with cancer

Students at River Heights School volunteered to have their hair cut on Tuesday to support one of their classmates battling cancer.

The school organizeda pep rally inthegymnasiumwhere classmates and somemembers of the Winnipeg Police Service lined up to have their hair chopped to support 13-year-old Ethan Scottand The Canadian Cancer Society.

Scott was diagnosed with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last January. He wasn't able to attendthe event because he's in the hospital. The grade sevenstudent is near the end of a six-round chemotherapy treatment plan.

Ethan's father James Scott said he's touched by all the support his family has been getting.

"It's a little overwhelming to see how many people are caring or backing. You almost feel like how am I going to pay this back," said Scott.

Scott said everyone is a little anxious for Ethan to get back to his normal routineand doing the outdoor activities he enjoys so much.

The typically active student has missed a lot ofschool but teachers said that hasn't stopped his friends from staying connected in any way they can.

Students have beenseenon the front lawn of the school during lunch time using FaceTime to call Ethan.

Classmate Thalia Thorlaciussaid sheknows that for some patients going through chemotherapy the hair loss can make them feel uncomfortable.She volunteered to have eight inches of herhair cut.

"I'm doing it to make some little girl or boy feel more comfortable with themselves," she said.

"What people go through make them who they are and I just felt that it was important," said13-year-old student SageFontainewhoalso donated her locks for cancer.

The school assembly was also part of the kickoff event for the 17th Annual Cops For Cancer Head Shavewhich takes placeat Kildonan Place Shopping Centre on May 28, 2016. .