For those of you who have seen me lately, you know that I've been growing my hair out for the past couple of months and it's pretty long now. Really long. But this isn't out of sheer laziness or for a passing fashion trend; I've been growing my hair long to have it all shaved off. You heard me right - I'm shaving my head in solidarity with children who have cancer and have lost their hair during treatment. I'm also donating the hair I'll be losing for use in wigs for cancer patients to give a little comfort, confidence, and a sense of normalcy through a difficult chemotherapy treatment process.
In the US, more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease. Childhood cancer takes the lives of one of every five children diagnosed. My fundraising is dedicated to Derek Graffis, a courageous young man who lost his battle with cancer after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as a teenager. Derek was a normal, active high school senior looking forward to going to college when he was first diagnosed with ALL in March 2008. Derek immediately began intensive chemotherapy treatments which were successful in achieving remission just prior to his high school graduation. Unfortunately, Derek’s cancer returned in March 2010, but he continued to fight on as he received additional treatment. Sadly, Derek lost his fight to cancer and passed in December 2010 due to complications from treatment. Even while battling ALL, Derek was always optimistic and continued to participate in volunteer work other community service while fighting off the cancer. Please help me honor his memory by supporting the St. Baldrick's foundation.
Instead of throwing wishes up in the air and hoping for the best, please help me to make a real difference by contributing to life-saving cancer research. Hold off on that extra grande coffee or that extra beer at the bar and use that money to give children with cancer a fighting chance. Every little bit helps, so please make a donation on my behalf and in memory of Derek to support childhood cancer research so that all children diagnosed with cancer will have a better chance for a cure.
To make a donation, click on "Make A Donation".
Thank you for your support!