'As (I) read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.' - John Green The above quote is from the book 'The Fault in Our Stars,' based on Esther Earl, who lost her battle against thyroid cancer in 2010 at age 16. Those words pretty accurately sum up how I came to be involved with St. Baldrick's. At first I liked the idea of people shaving their heads to become walking awareness campaigns for childhood cancer. Then I could feel little butterflies in my stomach about wanting to be a shavee myself. Finally, it became clear to me that if I didn't sign up I would regret it, and the last thing I would ever want to do is regret a time where I could have made a child's life better, simply by shaving my head. That day I committed my hair to St. Baldrick's.
Every dollar that is donated to me is a vote of confidence that I will spend my time as a St. Baldrick's shavee spreading the message that childhood cancer needs better funding. A 4% share of the NCI budget doesn't go far enough to create safer treatments for children. Children deserve the best possible world we can offer them. I believe as a woman I will be a lasting symbol for the cause. Please donate today so that I can make a significant impact as an advocate for children with cancer. If you have any hesitation, just spend the next five minutes on the St. Baldrick's Foundation website. Look at some facts, watch a video, and read a blog post or two, and see if you don't also fall in love with such a wonderful cause.