My name is Francis Sunshine, but I go by Sunny! Four years ago, my friend Thomas (who was 3 years old at the time) was diagnosed with high risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Thomas was in treatment for the next three and a half years.  He missed tons of school and spent so much time in the hospital. On February 13, of this year, he rang the bell at Cardinal Glennon when he finished his protocol!

The other night, I had a dream that my mom shaved my head to raise money for childhood cancer research and I was soooooo happy!  I felt so good knowing that I was really helping other kids.  When I woke up the next morning I told my mom and dad that I really wanted to do it.  Like, in real life!  They didn't believe me, but I meant it! They told me I had to wait three days before deciding.  Three days went by and I was more certain than ever.  I called my aunt and cousins in Iowa who had shaved their heads to raise money for cancer research the year before to get some advice. My aunt told me how emotional it was for her, but how glad she was that she did it and even though I'm verrrrrrrrrrrry nervous, I'm excited too.  I'm shaving my head with St. Baldrick's to raise money and help conquer kids' cancers! Every 2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer worldwide, and 1 in 5 of those in the U.S. will not survive so I’ve decided to fundraise for lifesaving research to find cures and better treatments for kids.

Now I need your support! Your donation can fund research to help kids survive and thrive. Join me today and let’s #DFYchildhoodCancers together.