I'm shaving my head to raise money for childhood cancer research!

Yep - you heard me right... I've decided to once again support this effort that is so near and dear to the heart of my family!  I'm finally old enough to tell you in my own words, what it means to me to help bring awareness and hope to other kids fighting just like I did so many years ago. 

For those of you who don't know, I was born with a Wilms Tumor. I was diagnosed with this form of kidney cancer when I was only three months old. My mom took me to the pediatrician for a checkup right before she went back to work from having me and our world was turned upside down for awhile. Only a few short days later I had an ultrasound which confirmed what the doctors suspected - I had cancer and needed surgery right away. After removing a baseball-sized tumor from my belly and the small kidney it was attached to, I started weekly chemotherapy treatments. Several weeks later, I had a reaction to one of the drugs they were giving me and it started attacking my healthy liver cells along with the bad cancer ones. Long story short, I almost died from acute liver failure... but I didn't!!

After a few crazy days in the ICU at Children's Hospital, some wonderful doctors and nurses giving me the best care I could ask for, and some post-traumatic stress for my parents, I came home with my whole life ahead of me!

Now that I'm almost 15 and have some life experiences under my belt, I understand that sharing my story and helping fundraise for this cause is one small way I can give back in the name of those people that helped me when  I needed it most.  The first time I participated and shaved my head I was only 8 years old and didn't understand as much what an impact I could have.  At St. John Vianney High School, they are always encouraging us to be men of character and accomplishment which means doing what is right and thinking of others before yourself. 

I would love it if you would join me in raising funds and awareness for this cause that means so much to me and my family.  Will you make a donation?  Even one dollar can help make a difference.  On behalf of all the kids and their families who've been touched by cancer, thank you from the bottom of my heart...  DOM!!