Hi everyone,
I hope this message finds everyone enjoying the wonders of Winter and basking in the blessings of good health, prosperity, and a general sense of peace. These things are precious to us all but often in short supply to many.
In case you haven't seen by now, many of us at my little elementary school in Lawrenceville, are shaving our heads again, along with many other brave souls on March 15th.
This empathetic gesture for kids who have some form of pediatric cancer is a valuable means of raising awareness for the much-needed funds dedicated to childhood cancer research!
This will be my 17th year sheering it all off, all for this very laudable cause. The event at Amalfi's in Lawrenceville has been hugely successful for the cause over the past 12 years. Two years ago, our "little" event finally cracked the $1,000,000 mark and drew attention as being the largest NJ event of its kind and being one of the top 20 nationwide!! No small feat, indeed!!
I truly do need your help today or very shortly.
Here are some of the startling facts...Did you know that kids' cancers are different from adult cancers? It's true. And childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So I've decided to do something about it by raising money for cures. And there have been some miraculous cures found through research and while the need is great, the desire of so many to cure this awful disease is greater. As is the goodness and generosity of others both friends, family members, and even strangers. Please help our kids in this battle. Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers.
I want to dedicate my efforts again to Ethan Toohey, a very brave local teen who lost his battle with pediatric cancer several years ago. I never knew Ethan personally but I had the great privilege of meeting his mother Diana at a St. Baldricks event at CHOP a few years ago. Together, along with other invitees, we helped to donate a check for nearly 3 million dollars to CHOP and the ongoing cutting-edge research projects right here in our area!! It was very special to meet her and hear about a mother’s perspective even when you've lost your beloved child to cancer.
She is an inspiration to me.
I'm also dedicating my efforts this year to another young man whose life was cut very short by cancer. He was the nephew of a good friend whom I recently heard his story. His name was Shishir Jaligama. Shishir was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in June of 2021 and passed away in March of 2022 at the tender age of 14. Diagnosed and gone in 9 months!!!
So sad and shocking that cancer still takes kids who are deeply loved and have so much hope and promise for a bright future...
There are so many other similar cancer stories out there, many involving infants, Kindergarten-aged kids like those in my class, and middle school, and High School children. Cancer doesn't discriminate. It tries to take anyone it can. Perhaps you know a young person who is in such a fight. It’s a fight we have to win and we will win it with your support, both financial and spiritual.
If you'd like to donate to this great cause, click the link below to make an easy one-time gift to this worthy cause I'm passionate about!
Many thanks for your kindness and generosity, especially during these challenging days!!!
With much love and appreciation,
Jeffrey
https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1152554/2025
