Twenty-five students from Our Lady of Lourdes school in Bethesda were inspired to donate their hair to Locks of Love after their beloved teacher, Kate Truax, was diagnosed with leukemia following breast cancer treatment.

The girls gathered Monday to have their ponytails snipped and their hair styled at Bella Bethesda salon, owned by Our Lady of Lourdes alumna.

In another effort to honor their ill teacher, last spring 77 boys from the school shaved their heads in solidarity.

"The students absolutely love Ms. Truax,” said Patricia McGann, Principal of Our Lady of Lourdes, in a statement. “She has always gone above and beyond for her students and as a school community we wanted to show her our support. It has been an amazing experience to watch our school come together and the children are truly living out the values taught in the classroom each day.”

Patch stopped by to chat with the students at the event.