In 2015, I made a comment on a Disney Cruising Facebook page about my daughters and I shaving for St. Baldrick's, and therefore not needing to pack shampoo. :) Unbeknownst to me, another mom in the room, Anita, had lost her son to childhood cancer. She responded to my post, and told me about her son. Anita is also a nurse, and I immediately felt like I had known her forever. I think of Gavin often, and then it came to me...I wanted to name our 2016 shave team in his honor! I asked her if this was OK, and she loved the idea. Below are her words about Gavin. I am beyond honored to do this for him and his family. Please help us fund research and find a cure for childhood cancer. Gavin Michael Sima: Diagnosed with TCell lymphoma. 7 months into treatment we found out he had Myelodysplastic syndrome. Before he was able to get a bone marrow transplant it progressed to acute myeloid leukemia. He finally got his transplant on 10/11/12. We were blessed with a wonderful 1.5 years with him before the Leukemia relapsed. He died on 3/22/14. He was exactly 6 years, 6 months and 7 minutes old.

Why am I shaving my head, and why should you care?

A challenge among friends 25 years ago has become the largest volunteer movement to Conquer Kids’ Cancer. This year, I’m joining thousands of others to shave my head to raise money for childhood cancer research!

Did you know, 1 in 5 kids diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. won’t survive? For those who do, more than 96% have severe or life-threatening conditions by the time they are 50.

Each shaved head, every dollar donated, creates a ripple effect of progress for kids with cancer.

Your gift will give kids and their families hope, supporting the best research across the country, through the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Together, let’s give these kids the lifetime they deserve. Thank you for your support!