In March 2008, my nephew (who is a firefighter ask if he could honor my daughter Colleen by shaving his head during a St. Baldrick's foundation event). I went to the event and found an amazing experience. Three months later, Colleen, sadly died of the cancer she so bravely fought for 9 months.
In response to the alarming lack of emotional and spiritual support available for Colleen and other children battling cancer, I founded Striving for More (a non profit organization to ensure that no family endures childhood cancer alone). However, I believe strongly in the mission of St. Baldrick's foundation and I love the event. Therefore, in 2009 I put a team of 10 wonderful people together for what I hope is an annual event.
As you can see, I have not let my hair grow up much since last March. I keep it this way as a statement. Many people ask me if I have cancer. I respond, "no, but my daughter died of cancer in June 2008". Then I proceed to tell them all about childhood cancer, hopefully increasing awareness along the way.
This year, I will shave my head again but more importantly, I hope to get more people on the Striving for More team to shave their head to help the St. Baldrick's foundation fund more research to find additional treatment and hopefully a cure. The more than 12,000 children a year that are diagnosed with cancer is 12,000 too many children who are suffering! It is my goal to exceed the more than $11,000 that the Striving for More team raised last year.
Please consider joining our team and shaving your head! It is an amazing experience that changed my life forever! I am sure it will have a profound effect on yours!