Tag: st. Baldricks

Please sponsor me, I’m shaving my head for Children’s Cancer Research

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My link:  http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/595388/2013
My son’s link:  http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/595381/2013

Bald by choice, for those who are not.

I am shaving my head on Friday to raise awareness and money for children’s cancer research at a St. Baldrick’s event in my community.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation collects funds for Children’s cancer research.  It began as an idea among 3 friends back in 1999 and became a foundation in 2005.  Last year they raised over 30 million dollars, bringing their total to over $100 million dollars in research grants since 2005.

My children are healthy, but cancer has touched all of our lives.  I have lost friends to cancer, and have several more suffering right now.  One friend, a father with three boys my sons’ ages, died from a type of brain cancer mostly found in children.  One of my cub scouts, Emmet, now cancer free, is a poster child for St. Baldrick’s.

My sons have participated in St. Baldrick’s, as have my cub scouts and many others in my community.  In 2012, my 8 year old raised over $800 in sponsorship himself.  This year, it is my turn to step up, so he and I will be shaving our heads together at a St. Baldrick’s event on Friday, March 15th.

Truthfully, I am nervous.  I’ve never been bald before.  I really like my hair, and consider it part of who I am, part of what makes me… well, me.

My biggest fear, though, is that I am making light of what people fighting cancer are really going through, by glibly shaving my head.  As though I can take away their pain and make them feel better with this gesture.   My second biggest fear is that my bald head may generate compassion I do not deserve, being bald by choice and not be necessity.

But I have faith that I am doing this for the right reasons, and that my outward gesture may motivate others to share what they can to support St. Baldricks and the many other cancer research fundraisers, the walks and runs and activities, so that someday, cancer will be no more.

So, if you see me around the neighborhood, here are the easy answers to your “Why are you shaving your head?” question:

  1. It is a great way to get involved, and hey – It’s just hair.  It will grow back.
  2. I am so proud of my son, this will be his third year participating in St. Baldricks.  Last year, I promised I would do it with him this year, and I am not going to let him down.
  3. Or maybe my brother is right, Being bald will really free me up when I get ready in the morning!

The tougher answer is:

If I can help, I should help.   Because let’s face it, Cancer Sucks.

Please consider sponsoring my son and I this Friday.