At just 6-years-old, Niyah Alexa Watler has already earned the admiration of family and strangers for using her first haircut to raise $3,328 in donations to go to lifesaving treatments for local cancer patients.
“I feel like a superhero ’cause… superheroes save people’s life, and [I cut my hair] so it could save people’s life,” the petite second year Joanna Clarke Primary School student told the Cayman Compass in an interview Tuesday evening.
Niyah, together with her great aunt and breast cancer survivor Deborah Ebanks, donated the money to the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.
They also raised the funds in honour of her great grandmother, Edith E. Ebanks, who was a 19-year survivor at the time of her death in 2022 from old age.
Funds donated will be used towards purchasing mammograms for women in need.
Niyah said she was excited to tell her friends about what she did.
“I wanted to save people’s lives and help children that have cancer so they could live a long life,” Niyah said when asked what she told her friends when they saw her new haircut.
She said she also loved her new hair cut because “I feel pretty”.
Her mother, Alyssa Ebanks, said she was touched when Watler came to her with the idea to cut her hair for cancer.
“She has been growing her long, beautiful hair, which she is very fond of, for over six years without it being cut, saving it for a special purpose. She finally decided a few weeks ago that she was ready to have it cut and wanted my advice on which charity to donate it to,” the proud mom said.
She said there was no hesitation when it came to the charity of choice.
“Both my grandmother [Edith E. Ebanks] affectionately known to me as ‘Mama’ and aunt [Debbie] were diagnosed with breast cancer, and having the ability to be screened from an early stage saved their lives. Therefore, I have always been a very passionate supporter of the Lion’s Club of Tropical Gardens. Over the years, I have supported them both financially and by donating my own hair,” she told the Compass.
Deborah Ebanks, who became emotional talking about Niyah’s donation drive, said she was immensely proud of the primary school student’s selfless act at such a young age.
“Niyah even thinking about doing this, I think was brave… Our family has always been very supportive of each other, and we believe in giving back and doing things for the community. To instill that in them from now, I think it’s a good thing,” she said.
She said she was reminded of Niyah’s mother’s sacrifice when she took a similar step in 2016 to raise funds for breast cancer treatments shortly after the elder Ebanks commenced cancer treatment.
The family had set a goal to raise $1,000, with a plan to cut about 10 inches of Niyah’s hair.
“Surprisingly, she raised over three-times her goal and decided to donate an extra four inches,” Niyah’s mother said.
Niyah said she would like to see others do the same and help cancer patients.
She said she loved her great aunt and her great grandmother and was proud to do something so special in their honour.
“They’re nice, and I love them ’cause they’re very great ladies and they look pretty,” she said.
Niyah’s mother said she hopes the gesture will encourage more support for local cancer patients.
“Niyah was so overjoyed to be able to do such a good thing. I believe if her sacrifice can save just one life, then she will have accomplished her true goal. I truly hope that as a mother, her kind gesture will inspire others to do the same,” she added.
Niyah’s mother lauded the “outstanding achievement” from her youngest child.
“As her mother, I am extremely proud of her thoughtful gesture and her desire to help others. I have always instilled in her the values of being loving and caring, and the importance of being kind towards everyone, especially those who are less fortunate,” she added.
The family said they were grateful to everyone who donated, and especially Ebanks’ employer, Ocorian, which donated enough for Watler to reach her goal.
Ebanks said they were also grateful to Salon La Femme for assisting with the cut.
Niyah said she would like to send a big hug to all cancer patients, and all children who are battling cancer.
Related Videos
Well done, sweet Niyah – so proud of you for your donation! What a kind gift from such a wonderful little human. Big hugs to you, Alyssa, and Ms Debbie!