An Edinburgh boy’s selfless act plans to inspire joy and hope for a lifelong friend in the midst of his battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Nine-year-old Leo Zyw from Newhaven will be cutting off his beautiful blonde locks on Sunday as part of a campaign to raise money for eight-year-old Rudi Abbot of Edinburgh.
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Leo’s initial goal was to raise £150 for his friend. However, the campaign has raised nearly £1,000 with a week remaining.
“We hope Rudi and his family feel happy and grateful that Leo is doing this,” said Danny Zyw, Leo’s father.
“They really need all the help they can get, and I’m very, very proud of Leo for doing this to support his friend.”
Leo and Rudi, eight, have been friends since birth, and Leo said he loves to play football in the backyard with his friend. The boys are an extension of a 40-year friendship between their father’s, and Danny said it has been tough watching Rudi fight for his life the last couple of years.
During the summer of 2020, Rudi began to experience headaches and slightly blurry vision, and an MRI scan revealed an aggressive grade 4 brain tumour (pineoblastoma).
Rudi underwent 10 months of intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, and he received a clear prognosis at the end. However, just a few short months later, a scan revealed that the tumours had returned.
“This devastating news was compounded when we were informed that there are now very limited options available to Rudi, and what the NHS can provide has unfortunately reached its limit,” a family member explained on GoFundMe.
The family fought to get Rudi into a medical trial in the United States, but they have been forced to crowd fund resources to make it financially viable.
“The whole ordeal has completely turned their lives upside down,” Danny said.
“Rudi is a really special little boy, and he’s been so strong going through this horrible illness that just goes on and on. He’s had some real hard knocks along the way, but he’s been nothing but positive and brave throughout. He’s a real inspiration to us all.”
Danny said that the family’s, understandably, have not had much contact in recent years, but he and Leo hope that the Abbot’s feel loved and supported by Leo’s kind gesture.
“Leo has been very attached to his long hair since he started growing it two years ago. It’ll be a little strange seeing Leo with short hair, but luckily his hair grows back quickly if he decides to grow it out again,” said Danny
Leo said he was excited to rock his new hair-cut after Sunday, and he was also excited to call Rudi and enjoy a few moments of joy with his friend while he’s in the barber’s chair.
If it is long enough, Leo would like to donate his locks to The Little Princess, which provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to youth who have lost their hair.
Any funds raised through Rudi’s campaign will be donated to the Rally for Rudi fund, and all funds raised for Rudi will be used for his treatments. If excess funds remain, they will be donated to the Brain Tumour Charity.
Donate to Leo’s campaign here: https://bit.ly/3NaJVDl
To learn more about supporting Rudi, click here: https://bit.ly/3O8rXCt
Edinburgh Live will update this story with before and after pictures and fundraising totals on Monday.
