TAMPA, Fla. – Abel Gonzalez is a barber who has been battling cancer for the majority of his adult life. He wasn’t sure whether he’d be able to keep the business of his Tampa shop open, but a devoted client is taking steps to make sure the barbershop stays in operation despite Gonzalez’s illness.
Since Gonzalez is the owner of the Barrelhouse Barbershop, Justin Blanton has been going there for the past four years to get his hair cut.
Gonzalez said, “You become friends when you cut somebody’s hair that long you know,” and he was referring to the recipient of the haircut.
During the time that Gonzalez was away waging his battle with colon and rectal cancer, the two were unable to see one other.
Justin Blanton considers Abel Gonzalez not only his barber but also a close friend.
“See this man once a week, you know, we share stories and talk and, you know, bond over the haircut once a week for several years,” said Blanton. “See this man once a week for several years.”
“The friendship that I’ve developed with Justin is one that I will always value and appreciate, man. As I was saying earlier, he is much more than just a customer. Gonzalez said that “he is in fact a brother, and he is a member of our family.”
The barber has used a significant portion of his savings to pay for the therapy he is receiving for cancer.
Because he had colon and rectal cancer, Gonzalez was confined to the hospital.
Over the course of the past three and a half months, I have spent close to $38,000 simply on the upkeep of my household and my business. That was everything I had saved up over my entire life,” he said.
When Blanton learned about his friend’s suffering, he immediately felt compelled to offer assistance.
“I started a GoFundMe to kind of get some operating money, so we can keep the shop open, so we can keep the bills paid and so on while he finishes his recovery,” Blanton said.
For Gonzalez, the act is much more than just making some money to pay his expenses.
Gonzalez has spent a significant portion of his life-fighting cancer.
“To actually see somebody come forward that, you know, that I’ve been building a bond with and just take it upon their hands to try to help me, it was moving, you know, And I was surprised,” Gonzalez remembered.
“To actually see somebody come forward that, you know, that I’ve been building a bond with and just take it upon their hands to try to help me,” “And at the end of the day, man, it touched me right in the heart.”
Blanton remarked that he was enjoying the sensation. You understand that it is to my advantage to be able to assist him, don’t you? That makes it a win-win situation.”
A heartfelt show of friendship has resulted in the formation of a connection that will last a lifetime. Abel has been declared clean of cancer, and they have managed to raise approximately $5,000.
