Dominick Thompson is 15 years old and a sophomore at Boothbay Region High School. Until recently, his hair reached far past his shoulders.

On May 22, he cut off 17 inches and donated it to Locks of Love in memory of his brother, Adam Williams, who died June 18, 2012.

Born March 29, 1983, Williams was diagnosed with a combination of rare genetic disorders for which there is no cure. One of the treatments he went through was chemotherapy, which caused him to lose his hair. When that happened, his brother decided he wanted to grow his hair to donate so he could help people going through similar fights.

“It was the right time to do it,” Thompson said. “It was long enough, summer’s coming so the weather is warmer, and besides I was shedding a lot.”

His mother, Julie Reed Coffin, joked that “cleaning the shower out was a daily chore.”

“People look at Dominick differently now,” Coffin said. “Before they judged him by his hair, and disregarded his as some punk kid. But he's smart and driven, and I hope when people know the reason he grew his hair it might encourage others to do the same.”

Thompson wants someday to be a clinical psychologist. Next year in school he plans to take AP psychology and general sociology, then major in psychology in college.

Locks of Love accepts donations of both money and hair through the mail. Donations can be sent to 234 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Visit www.locksoflove.org to learn more.