I have Von Willebrand’s disease, and so does my son Max. We are fortunate that it isn’t something we have to survive or fight. It’s easily monitored and we have skilled and compassionate Hematologists keeping an eye on us. Those Hematologists are also Oncologists, which means that our appointments are at the Cancer Center. I always dread the endless moments spent in the waiting room, watching brave and sick patients come out from chemo. Especially at the Children’s Cancer Center. It’s heartbreaking to walk past the kids in chemo chairs, receiving treatment. It’s heartbreaking to know that the medicine can be as draining and debilitating as the disease, and to see that in their eyes. But, for me, it’s worse to see the parents standing alongside them as their hearts break, holding their little hands, watching their babies suffer. If this sounds melodramatic, it’s because you haven’t seen it.

I am grateful for the heath of my child and cannot imagine if the roles were reversed--if the child in the chemo chair was my own. This is one of the reasons why I am passionate about St. Baldrick’s and why I am willing to lose my hair. I am also honored to do it in support of loved ones that are currently fighting and in memory of those who have lost the battle to cancer. But I cannot do it without your support. Please donate to Team Million, every little bit makes a world of difference.