School watches as Jakob gets his trim after three years

May 4, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
The student body at James Bolton Public School got to cheer on one of their own Friday.
Grade 5 student Jakob Gatt got his hair cut for the first time in three years, marking the anniversary of his being declared cancer-free.
It was part of a fund-raising effort called Gatt Gives Back. His father Rick said they raised about $2,500, and that was matched by Ikea in Vaughan. That means a $5,000 contribution will be going to the Paediatric Oncology Clinic at Southlake Regional Health Centre. This is a satellite centre for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
School Principal Laurie Allison pointed out many of the students made a point of wearing yellow and orange that day, the colours for cancer.
Jakob, 10, told the school he was diagnosed with leukemia when he was four, and spent three years battling it. “It took so many tests, needles and other stuff.” he said.
He lost his hair through the treatments he was taking, and decided to grow it back and donate it to make wigs for other youngsters in his situation, “so they wont feel overwhelmed when they have cancer.”
Jakob’s father said dealing with something like this was a family thing, adding there were a lot of dark moments during the battle.
“Today is one of the best moments,” he said.

Amanda Gravenish, of Amica Hair Design in Palgrave cut off the first big lock of Jakob Gatt’s hair Friday.

Jakob Gatt was surrounded Friday by Cristina Santapaga, marketing manager of Ikea Vaughan, Rashin Mohebian, operations manager, his mother Jacquie, father Rick, brother Jesse and Corinna Jones, specialist in philanthropy and engagement at Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation.
Photos by Bill Rea