GEORGE H W BUSH SHAVES HEAD TO SUPPORT 2 YEAR OLD CANCER PATIENT

Former President George H.W. Bush shaved his head on Tuesday, supporting a two-year-old with leukemia whose father is part of the 89-year-old's Secret Service detail.

Members of the Bush Protective Division began removing their hair last week in solidarity with Patrick, who was diagnosed with leukemia last spring, Bush's spokesperson Jim McGrath told CBSNews.com.

Bush said "it was very easy for him to do," McGrath said. Obama, Bush present 5,000th Daily Point of Light Award for volunteers Former President George H. W. Bush feted with sock pictures for 89th birthday

Patrick's prognosis is "good," but his treatment and illness carry a special place in Bush's heart as his daughter Robin died of the same blood disease in 1953 when she was three.

His Secret Service members have organized a website and 50-mile motorcycle ride through Maine - where Bush resides - to help pay for Patrick's medical bills.

Former US president George HW Bush has shaved his head to show support for a two-year-old boy who is battling leukaemia.

The boy is the son of a member of the ex-president's Secret Service detail, and has lost his hair as a result of treatment.

The nation's 41st president, who is 89, got the idea to go bald when he noticed members of his detail had shaved their heads in solidarity with the boy. president "george h.w. bush" shaved shave head  Mr Bush's office identified the boy as Patrick, withholding his last name at the family's request.

A website has now been launched to assist with Patrick's medical bills.

Friends have also organised Patrick's Pals Motorcycle Benefit Run on August 10 in Kennebunkport - a 50-mile motorcycle ride through the Maine countryside followed by a lunch and silent auction to raise funds for his treatment.

Mr Bush visited the White House earlier this month for a ceremony in which President Obama honoured his predecessor's Points of Light volunteer programme.

George and Barbara Bush, the parents of former president George W Bush, lost their infant daughter Robin to leukaemia 60 years ago this October.

Mr Bush was recently struck down by illness himself, battling a bronchitis-related cough for two months before being released from hospital in January.