Hi, My name is Matthew, and I can't wait to watch people get their heads shaved! I was diagnosed with Leukemia in February, 2004 and was not expected to live through the night. Well, I'm here to tell you that because of organizations like St. Baldrick, the research being done saved my life. I went through heavy chemo until October, 2004, then had to have Cranial Radiation, 'cause my head can restart the cancer all by itself. After 10 months, instead of going to the clinic and hospital every week for IV treatments, I was able to start taking pills from home and attempt a 'new normal' life. Well, in October, 2005, the Leukemia came back and doctors didn't think I'd make it into remission again so that I could have a transplant. That's where you come in. If it weren't for the research that created Bone Marrow Transplants, I would have died. Well, I'm here and fight'in. My transplant was successful, but after a year and weaning off of medicines, I started to have rejection issues. It was mis-diagnosed for about 7 months and I ended up in a wheelchair with tight ligaments and tendons and stiff joints throughout my body. By the time my transplant doctor saw me in August, 2007, he diagnosed me in one second, I had another port put in within one week and more meds began. I've had a long hard battle and now go to Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Massage Therapy, a Chiropractor, and have to wear spring-loaded braces every day to try to make my body work again. There isn't much research out there for me at this point, so I need your help to be able to look forward to the future. Please help in any way you can, every dollar counts. Blessings, and hope to see you at Lizzy McCormack's on North Orange Ave., Orlando, at 5pm, March 14th, 2008.