MONROE — Eleven-year-old Evan Ter Hark refused to cut his long, blonde hair for three years. 

This elicited reactions from schoolmates. A number of friends were supportive, but others at school were not. He was called “Goldilocks” and “mop head” on a regular basis. There were also allusions to violent acts from some students.

But ultimately, Ter Hark remained focused on the bigger picture; his plans to donate the hair to cancer patients. 

“It’s worth it knowing someone’s not going to get bullied about having no hair,” Ter Hark said. 

At Tropical Exposure in Brodhead, Ter Hark donated almost 15 inches of hair to Children With Hair Loss, a nonprofit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically related hair loss.

Children With Hair Loss participated in The Great Cut, an event where donors and stylists teamed up to submit hair donations to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the most hair donated in 24 hours on March 17.  The Great Cut achieved the world record with 339 pounds of hair. 

With his donation, Ter Hark was part of breaking that record.

The notion to donate his hair didn’t come on a whim. When Ter Hark was 8 years old, his 3-week-old sister Annamarie contracted respiratory syncytial virus, and he went frequently to visit her at UW Health University Hospital. 

While visiting her there, Ter Hark saw cancer patients without hair. Seeing them led to several questions he directed at his mother, Sam Masseur, who explained cancer, chemotherapy and its effects. A couple of days later, Ter Hark began growing out his hair in an effort to help in a way he was able. 

Ter Hark said maintaining his long locks was easy — what wasn’t easy was the bullying from both children and adults. Through the tough times, his mother stood beside him. 

“I was really proud,” Masseur said. “It took a lot. I can’t imagine being a boy and having to deal with some of the things that were said to him. It wasn’t just ‘Goldilocks’ and “mop head.’ Those were just the ones that were the most common and least hurtful.” 

Masseur said children would braid his hair without his consent, tease and tell him to change his name to Evelyn and even gave him lipstick. 

“Not only did he stand up for himself to the bullying, but also for children who are transgender,” Masseur said. “He didn’t promote the things people would say to him.”

Despite the bullying, Ter Hark said he had a lot of supportive friends while he grew out his hair. Once it was cut, many found him hard to recognize. 

Despite the obstacles, Ter Hark said he wouldn’t hesitate to grow his hair long again. 

“It feels good,” Ter Hark said of the donation. “Kind of like when you give someone a present.”