TUCSON, Ariz. — In a lot of ways, Richard Reiners is a typical 11-year-old boy.
He likes to play video games with friends, watch YouTube videos, and play basketball.
He's also been looking forward to his 12th birthday next week.
The past two years, he had birthday parties based off of one of his favorite TV shows, The Walking Dead.
But this year, he wants to do something different, It's in honor of family members and friends who have battled cancer.
"My grandpa got cancer and died from that," Richard said. "Pretty scary to get cancer."
Leukemia took the life of his cousin, Sam in 2011. He was just 16-years-old.
Richard's best friend, Bryce, is a leukemia survivor.
So Richard had an idea.
"I just wanted to grow out my hair," Richard said. "And it took a long time."
Two and a half years later, his hair was finally long enough to donate -- 16 inches.
But he's not stopping with the hair cut, he still has big plans for his birthday on September 4.
Instead of gifts, he's asking for donations for Wigs for Kids. The organization provides wigs for children fighting cancer.
"I feel bad for all the people that have cancer," Richard said. "And I feel bad for all the girls, too, 'cause they don't have their hair, and I just want to make them feel better."
To donate to Richard's fundraiser, click here.
