Cancer Survivor's Long Hair Leads To Suspension
BURTON (AP) - A Flint-area teenager who survived leukemia and wants to donate his hair to cancer victims has been suspended from school because of his long locks.
J.T. Gaskins has missed more than a week of classes at Madison Academy, a charter school in Burton. The Flint Journal says the school's governing board reaffirmed the suspension this week.
The school handbook says hair must be "off the collar, off the ears and out of the eyes." Gaskins feels strongly about growing his hair for Locks of Love, which turns donated hair into wigs.
The 17-year-old senior had leukemia but has been cancer-free since age 7. A message seeking comment was left Friday with the company that manages the school.
Gaskins' mother, Christa Plante, says the school should be more flexible.
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