It has been about a year since our son Sammy was diagnosed with ocular melanoma, a rare form of eye cancer. Last year was filled with many trips to in Durham and Philadelphia to monitor, and eventually confirm the diagnosis. Sammy underwent radiation plaque therapy at Duke in December. We still have a ways to go, but I'm glad to report Sammy is doing well. We have been tremendously fortunate for the type and quality of care we received.
Since then our family was looking for ways to give back since we had such an outpouring of support from family, church members and friends. While looking at the St. Baldrick’s website one day, Sammy asked about the children he saw in the pictures. Jessica explained that how people shaved their heads to support kids who are sick, like the ones we met at the hospital. Sammy emphatically said "Let's do it!"
St. Baldrick’s began as a head-shaving event and continues to be the signature event of the foundation. “Shavees” ask friends and family to make donations “on their head” and in return, they attend one of thousands of volunteer-organized events around the world where they have their heads shaved in solidarity with kids fighting cancer.
Please consider making a donation in honor of someone you love who has had to deal with cancer. St. Baldrick’s goal is to fund research to better treat this devastating disease and hopefully one day find a cure!