Sometimes we get a choice in the clubs we choose, sometimes we don't. Last January I became a member of the 'Parents of Kids With Cancer' club with Emerson's diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma. Talk about a blindside!

The past 6-months have been exhausting, emotionally draining and incredibly difficult for our entire family. Watching your child become so sick, scared and lost is an overwhelming experience and my heart hurts for anyone who has to go through this.

It is never lost on me how fortunate we are that Emerson has been given an excellent prognosis and that her treatment plan is working. We have a light at the end of our tunnel. What I struggle to imagine is what it's like for children and families who go through this grueling journey without an end in sight or even knowing whether or not the treatment is working. Without the most up-to-date and proven treatments, some of these children do not get their best chance possible.

Did you know that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease beyond infancy among children in the United States? Unfortunately, during the pandemic, donations have been down sharply, which is a big deal since the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the largest non-government supporter of childhood cancer research grants.

I will not be shaving my head this weekend as Emerson and I will be shaving our heads together at the end of her treatment, with that last round being on Wednesday, July 13th. If you would like to support us in this journey by helping all pediatric cancer patients, we would be ever so grateful. Every little bit counts!