Queen Creek resident donates hair to children’s cancer group

Queen Creek resident and SRP employee Rich Fiacco grew his hair out over the past two years as a tribute to his late mother.

Fiacco started growing his hair out in October 2022, a few months before his 59th birthday, and on Sept. 25, he cut off his locks and gifted them to Crowns of Courage, a nonprofit charity dedicated to helping pediatric cancer patients overcome the fear of chemotherapy-related hair loss that provides halo wigs at no cost to families.

When Fiacco was in his late 30s, his mother died of cancer just six days before she turned 59.

“I realized that I was going to live a longer life than my mom,” Fiacco stated in an SRP press release. “It didn’t seem right.”

Fiacco described his mom as the “glue that held the family together: She was the kind of lady to walk into a room knowing no one and leave knowing everyone. She was joyful, but chemo was really hard on her.”

He turned to his co-workers and his daughter, who is a beautician, for tips and advice on supplements to help with hair growth and health. He has had short hair since the ’90s and said having longer hair had its challenges, especially in the Arizona summer heat.

“Whenever I get frustrated with my hair, I remind myself of the young person and their families who may be getting some bad news right now,” he stated in the release. “That keeps me grounded and focused on my mission. I don’t even know them, and I pray for them every day. I hope this gift brings them joy and confidence.”