People often respond hearing that I am going to shave my head by telling me that raising money is enough. But if I can do more, I want to do more. So many people who suffer from this disease, particularly children, have no choice about shaving or losing their hair. I have the choice, and I choose to look like these little heroes.
I have spent the last few months of my life working in a middle school in North Philadelphia, and each day I am reminded of the hardships of middle school, particularly the daily bullying and the torment. At the same time, I am also often reminded of the resilience of children, which I discover each day in the spirit and vivacity of my students. But in the time I spend with them in the classroom, I also witness taunting of all kinds, especially about looks. Anything from the "wrong" outfit choice to a "questionable" new haircut turns a child into a target of ridicule and endless jokes. The loss of hair is akin to the loss of identity at the tender ages of 11-13, and if these children who not only suffer from a debilitating disease, but also lose that part of themselves can be brave, I want to be just like them.
Undoubtedly, people will be shocked when my hair is gone. They will ask me where it has gone and why I did it. That will give me the opportunity to be an advocate in the fight against childhood cancer-- I will be able to tell the story about how my hair is now being used to cover the bald heads of children in the struggle for their lives, and how my hair, though it will take a bit of time, will grow back.