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Blues' Pietrangelo joins 5-year-old niece in fight against cancer

Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo asked his five-year-old niece to shave his head Monday night, joining her in her fight against cancer.

Ellie was diagnosed with a rare type of kidney cancer called Wilms' Tumor and is undergoing chemotherapy. As she begins to lose her hair, Pietrangelo knew it was time to execute his plan.

"We’ve been talking about it for awhile," he told NHL.com Tuesday. "To see her laugh and smile, the way she was when she was doing it - even though she dug the razor in a couple times - it was good."

The Blues will host Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Nov. 1., and $5 from every ticket will be donated to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative if purchased through this link.

Ellie has taught Pietrangelo more than he could have imagined through this difficult process. "We’re all there to support her, but to see the way she’s acting, it’s something to learn from. You appreciate every day that you have."

You can help by donating to Ellie's GoFundMe page to help her family with medical costs.

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