In 2017, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I didn’t find out until later that the doctor’s had actually told my husband he “needed to prepare himself” because my chances of survival were slim. That was until I found out I was eligible for a Trial Treatment at City Of Hope in Duarte, CA. After months of chemotherapy and radiation, and finding a match for a Bone Marrow Transplant, I was given another shot at life. Almost 6 years in remission, I am grateful to the doctors and the donor who saved my life.

While at City Of Hope, I stayed in the pediatric wing of the hospital where I got to meet some amazing kids who were also fighting this fight. Fate allowed me to meet a mother whose daughter was battling cancer – Jazmyne. Jazmyne and I achieved remission pretty much around the same time. Unfortunately, she has relapsed. Jazmyne has recently begun treatment again through oral medications as well as injections – something absolutely no child should endure. Instead of creating art (one of her favorite things to do), she is once again fighting this terrible disease. I wanted to participate in St. Baldrick’s this year for Jazmyne.

I wanted to bring awareness not only to the painful reality of childhood cancer, but more importantly to put the amazing work that St. Baldrick’s does to the forefront. I would also like to do this in honor of the friends I have made throughout this journey who are no longer with us. 

“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.

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.”