Hello All,
UPDATE! My total fundraising for 2010 was over $1,300.00. Thank you all for your kind donations. Trevor and Rich have been inspired by my fundraising efforts and have agreed to shave their heads next year, so we will be in touch with you next year.
Over the past year, many of you have noticed that I have been growing my hair out. You probably have also heard me say that I was trying to grow it out so I could get it all cut off for a fundraiser. Well that time has come and I want to share my motives with you. I want to help raise money for St. Baldrick's Foundation. The St. Baldrick's Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government, more than $12 million in 2009 alone!
I have joined "Team Averi" because last year I saw something in this family that moved me. The Valdivieso family banded together and all shaved their heads in solidarity with kids battling this terrible disease. Since Team Averi has started, they have been very successful in reaching and surpassing goals to raise money in honor of Averi Valdivieso, who lost her battle to Ewing's Sarcoma, March 12th 2009. Averi was only 16 at the time.
This year, I too, am going to cut off my hair in honor of all the brave children who have battled cancer.
Averi's legacy continues. She has been chosen as one of the five 2010 Ambassador children for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Her parents, as well as the entire family are thrilled that her story, along with other children who have or have had cancer can be heard by people all over the country. Through Averi's illness, she remained brave, positive, and NEVER gave up. She will always remain such an inspiration to us all. In her own words, "When you are lost, do not lose hope, BELIEVE"!
If you would like to donate to this incredible cause, please click on the link below and follow the directions. The St.Baldrick's website provides lots of information on the many children who have battled cancer or are battling cancer. If you would like to donate by phone please call 1-888-899-BALD or you can write a check made payable to "St.Baldrick's Foundation and get it to me and I will deliver it on my "hair cutting day".
I hope you can make a donation, and I'd love it if you could also come to the event to cheer me on, along with the other brave shavees on Team Averi, at Waterside Festival Marketplace in Norfolk, VA on March 13th, 2010 starting at 9:30 AM. Please help me help them. www.stbaldricks.org/participants/WendyGeer
Thank you,
Wendy & Rich