An Army veteran is igniting hearts with his extraordinary gesture of love and support as he grows out his hair, initially to assist his mother battling multiple sclerosis, and now to create a wig for his wife diagnosed with cervical cancer.
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David Blankenbaker embarked on this emotional journey in 2010, when his mother, Pamela Blankenbaker, received the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The 41-year-old, who had previously served as a combat medic in Iraq, bore the responsibility of adapting to life with long hair—an experience quite foreign to him after years of military service. “I have never had long hair in my life because I was in the military,” he explained in an interview. Learning the ins and outs of hair care proved challenging, with late-night struggles leaving him uncomfortable, but he persevered.
Seeing his mother lose her hair due to her condition greatly affected David. “It just killed me to see my mum have that reaction of not having her hair,” he recalled. His decision to grow his hair was not merely a personal challenge; it was a heartfelt tribute to his mother, who was beginning to regain her hair, though it was sparse and patchy.
Sadly, Pamela passed away in 2025, but David continued to maintain his long hair as a symbol of his love and resilience. Shortly after his mother’s death, his wife, Erin Blankenbaker, received a cervical cancer diagnosis. The news struck the household hard. Erin expressed her distress, saying, “When you hear those words, you always think the worst possible thing.”
Erin began facing the emotional and physical toll of her illness, including losing her hair, which compounded her struggles. “I’m tired all the time. My hair is falling out a lot. I get knots everywhere. I wasn’t eating,” she remarked, illustrating the extent of her ordeal.
In light of Erin’s situation, David made a touching decision to transform his long hair into a custom-made wig for her. “She always commented she likes the colour of my hair and has always loved it,” he shared. “I just felt like it would be something that puts us closer together.” He likened the gesture to giving a vital organ, emphasising the depth of his commitment to their relationship.
“I feel like anybody would do that for their partner if you’re with somebody and you love them, and it’s just hair,” he added, underlining the dedication he feels towards Erin’s well-being. He expressed his desire to restore joy to her life, hoping to see her regain her confidence with a beautiful new hairstyle.
David had his hair trimmed at a local business, Varnished Gentlemen’s Salon and Shave Parlor, and the owner of AJ’s Wigs and Hair confirmed that they would transform the donated locks into a wig. This project not only signifies devotion but also exemplifies how love can take unique forms during challenging times.
Erin is set to undergo surgery at the end of the month to remove a tumour and will subsequently face a hysterectomy. She expressed her gratitude, saying, “Every little bit helps, and he’s more than a little bit. To see what it turns into, to see it come to fruition, it’s going to be cool, and it means a lot. It does. It makes it even more special because it’s him.”
This heartfelt story between David and Erin serves as a poignant reminder of love’s powerful ability to support and uplift during life’s most difficult moments. As they navigate this challenging chapter, their bond continues to shine brightly, inspiring others to demonstrate love and empathy in creative ways.