My name is Andrew, and I am shaving to raise money for childhood cancer research. For me, this event hits especially close to home this year, as our family has experienced first-hand just how important events like this are.

The little girl in the picture with me is my niece, Olivia. She is strong. She is brave. She has been battling cancer since July 10th, 2019. And she is just 3. People who Have followed her story since her diagnosis already know just how amazing she is. As her uncle, I have had the joy of getting to know how amazing she is ever since she was born. I love being able to be “silly uncle Andrew” with her, teaching her tricks and jokes which make her roll with laughter and make her parents roll their eyes, and seeing just how much she loves her auntie Maddie, and her little cousin, Claire. So, when we heard of her diagnosis of stage 4 neuroblastoma in July, we were extremely scared to lose all of those things which we love.

Since her diagnosis, though, we have been able to see just how much of an impact research, trials and advancements in treatments have in the life of a cancer patient. We have seen how important it is to have brilliant and caring medical professionals to walk through the whole treatment process. We have seen how much Olivia is loved by so many in so many ways through this process, and yet, we still wish it would have just never happened at all.

So that’s why I feel compelled to shave this year. Cancer is part of Olivia’s story now, just as it is for so many. But we pray and hope for a day where it is not part of anyone’s story; we pray for a cure. So, if you have the means, please consider donating to this research which is so close to our heart. Thank you!