Hello Everyone,
This year I decided to join my son, Keanan and my husband, Michael as a shavee to raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This is Keanan and Michael's 10th year raising money and shaving to support the children and families impacted by cancer and fundraise for childhood cancer research. This fundraiser has been important to me since they began participating and I am so proud of them for continuing to each year.
For those of you that don't know, Keanan was diagnosed with Autism when he was two years old. Being a child on the spectrum brought many challenges he has been successfully able to overcome. As a young child, Keanan struggled with sensory sensitivity and haircuts were an especially daunting task for him. When he was three years old, we heard that a local restaurant was hosting a shaving event to raise money for childhood cancer research. While Keanan did not understand what cancer meant, we were able to explain that this was an event to help and support children that were "sick". Keanan, never turning down a way to help others, decided he would be willing to brave the shave (as long as his dad did too). We went to the restaurant, and he made it clear that he first needed to eat his basket of French fries and drink his ginger ale (his go to order at restaurants still to this day!). When he was done, the wonderful volunteers at the St. Baldrick's event called their names to come up and shave. I remember walking Keanan up to the chair and watching them put the green cape around his neck thinking the whole time "I am the worst mother, what am I thinking??? Not only does he struggle with haircuts, but I have also put him in front of an audience while he gets one!". Needless to say, Keanan always amazes me and showed his bravery that day. The feeling of getting his head shaved and the sounds of the clippers where nothing he couldn't overcome. It made me reflect on why he was doing it and I thought about all the children diagnosed with cancer that have to be brave and face challenges every day. I reflected on the parents that must feel such a loss of control, knowing they have no other choice but to put their faith in the hands of doctors., medicine, and perhaps a higher power. Children are the most innocence and vulnerable beings and should never have to face such challenges at such a young age.
A year later, my father was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. I can only describe it as a dark cloud that looms over you. You try to forge ahead and remain positive, enjoy life, and the time you have with your loved one, but you know its always there. I am so thankful that we were given two years with my dad from the time of his diagnosis before he passed. We didn't take a day a single day for granted. To watch a loved one fight that battle is truly the hardest thing that I have experienced in my lifetime. The only circumstance that would make it even more difficult is if it was a child. My dad supported Keanan and Michael as they fundraised for St. Baldrick's that following year and was there to cheer them on as they shaved their heads. I stood next to my dad as he cheered them on and his expression of seeing Keanan shave his head will forever be imbedded in my heart. My dad was so proud of him.
I told my dad that someday I would join Keanan and Michael and shave in support for all those whose children and families battling cancer. I am ready to do that today. Please don't call me brave; it's just hair and it's my choice. Others are not afforded the choice and are the real brave ones.
Thank you to all that have donated both this year and past years to support childhood cancer research and our decision to shave.
