Dear Friends & Family,
In 2001 one of my youngest cousins Alison Huber passed after a difficult 17 month battle with 1st ovarian cancer and then Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). Alison was a mere 19 years old and her loss had a significant impact on our family. It was especially emotional for my immediate family because it was Alison’s Parent’s Ed and Rose Huber that sponsored and supported our emigration from Ireland to the United States in 1984. Ed, Rose, their son Kevin and Alison were our only relatives in the US and some of the best support a family could wish for. Alison was an extraordinary young lady who dealt with the toughest challenge that life can deal with grace and dignity. Her memory will live with us forever.
This is my first year participating as a “shavee” in the St Baldrick’s foundation, a foundation that raises money for children's cancer research. To date, over 106,000 volunteers have shaved their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer at more than 2,400 emotional events in 50 states and 24 countries.
More than 160,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer each year. Despite tremendous progress, cancer remains the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. and Canada. I’m out to help change that!
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!
My goal is to raise $3,500 to support this worthwhile organization, which will be part of the >$150,000 my company (NetApp) will try to raise, and you can join me on March 16th when I shave my head in support of this great cause!
If possible, please show your support by making a donation (every penny counts!)
Thank you (Go raibh maith agat)
-Ian