As many of you know, my youngest brother Ryan died shortly after his tenth birthday of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). ALD is a type of hereditary (genetic) condition that damages the membrane (myelin sheath) that insulates nerve cells in your brain. Childhood onset of ALD frequently results in the death of the child, as it did in my youngest brother. Other members of my family, past and present, have also suffered and in some cases passed away from ALD. It is a shitty genetic disease with tragic family consequences. 

Starting in my grad school years, I started shaving my head roughly every two years in order to show support with children and adults fighting cancer and leukemia and to help fundraise money to research cures and treatments for these horrible diseases. So far, believe it or not, I've raised over $16,000! In fact, I raised $6,759 in 2017 alone! But due to Covid, I haven't shaved my head in five years. So let's see if we can beat old records! I believe in us! Obviously you have been saving up for JUST this charitable opportunity!

Some additional facts about childhood cancer:

Did you know, 1 in 5 kids diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. won’t survive? For those who do, more than 96% have severe or life-threatening conditions by the time they are 50.

Each shaved head, every dollar donated, creates a ripple effect of progress for kids with cancer. So know that your gift will give kids and their families hope, supporting the best research across the country, through the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Together, let’s give these kids the lifetime they deserve. Thank you for all of your support! You are the best!