A few months ago, I started volunteering at Kosair with SMILE, a program where medical students hang out and play with children that are currently in the hospital for treatment. The kids are always so excited to get out of their room and have some fun; they run around the playroom or ride tricycles while students chase after them with their IV bag. All of their toys are wiped down with disinfectant before they use them because their immune systems are shot, which means any kind of infection, even a common cold, can become a serious issue for these children. After about an hour of play, most are exhausted because their illness has drained them. It's heartbreaking to watch them struggle and to see the anguish on the faces of their family, but these kids have amazing attitudes and are surprisingly resilient. They're full of enthusiasm, constantly smiling and going on about what they want to be when they grow up. So many want to become nurses or doctors just like the nurses and doctors that take care of them, and that's what inspired me to participate in St. Baldrick's - because these incredible kids should have the opportunity to grow up and become whatever they want to be.
I'm having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures.
Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government.
Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these kids. Thank you!
Click "Make a donation" to give online, or donate by phone or mail.
