Why am I shaving my head with St. Baldrick’s? Because your donation “on my head” will actually save lives. Over the years, my family and I have participated in a variety of cancer fundraising events. There were a number of years where we walked in our local Relay For Life in memory and honor of family and friends, raising money for cancer research. Five years ago, I took the plunge and joined my nephew and husband in shaving our heads to raise money specifically for childhood cancer research. My nephew had been shaving his head since age 4 and I kept saying I'd join him one year - but kept chickening out. Until 2017. I discovered going bald wasn't as terrifying and awful as I thought and said I'd let my hair grow long again and shave it in 5 years. Well, it's 5 years later, so here I am - ready to go bald for children who don't have that choice. I have too many family and friends who have or are dealing with cancer. Although this fundraiser is specifically for childhood cancer research, I am also shaving in honor and memory of those family and friends who are currently fighting this awful disease or have fought and sadly, succumbed. Why then, focus on Childhood Cancer? Childhood Cancer is not rare. 1 out of every 285 people will be diagnosed with cancer before age 19, and 1 out of every 5 childhood cancer patients will not survive. There are hundreds of different subtypes of childhood cancer, and yet all childhood cancers combined receive less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s research funding. 3 in 5 childhood cancer survivors experience late effects, which can range anywhere from neuropathy or arthritis to developmental disabilities or even secondary cancers. So that means, in a way - once you have cancer as a child, it's always there - in one shape or form, for your whole life. Childhood Cancer survivors deal with ongoing health issues that an average person never has to worry about. I will be shaving because no child should have to endure these struggles. No mother, father, sibling, grandparent, or caregiver should have to watch a child struggle in this way. I will be shaving in honor of the bravest, most honest, poignant girl I know, my cousin, Natalie Heath, childhood cancer survivor. Each year during Childhood Cancer Month, Natalie reminds and educates us all about the struggles of childhood cancer. This year, I will be going bald as she had to as a 5 year old. I will be going bald to honor her struggle and the struggle of all children with cancer. In 2017, I didn't know what to expect and decided to shave at the last minute. I set my fundraising goal for $400 and raised over $1200! This year I am setting my goal high and hope to surpass the $1200 raised in 2017. Every dollar helps. Even $5 adds up fast when many people give a $5 donation.