Heads shaved to match Richie's

Three-year-old Richie Gerber laughed when he helped shave his father's head and watched as other men in his life lost their hair.

The shearing process was on July 17 at the M'Lady and M'Lord Salon, fulfilling a promise to the little boy who had lost his hair due to chemotherapy: that they would shave their heads to match his.

Now with no hair on their heads are Richard "Rich" Gerber, the boy's father; Richie's grandfather, Richard Sr.; and two family friends, Beau Gonzalez and Josh Stevenson.

Involved in the shaving were his grandmother, Kathie Morgan, owner of the beauty salon, and stylists Amanda and Judith.

Young Gerber was born in Yuma and has a sister, Kylee, 5. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of blood and bone marrow, in January.

Since that time, said his mother, Sara, "We have traveled back and forth to Phoenix just about every week. He has been through many spinal taps, bone marrow tests and chemotherapy treatments.

"He is currently in the last intensive stage of chemotherapy before the maintenance therapy, which we can do at home, but be monitored on a weekly basis. The checkups then should be further apart.

"We're looking forward to this process. We're optimistic, and I want to personally thank the guys who went the extra mile and had their heads shaved - you all look great with no hair!"

The appreciation is extended to the entire community of Yuma for "love and support," the Gerbers said.

---

Pam M. Smith can be reached at psmith@yumasun.com or 539-6856.