Hello friends and family,
I have been teasing my wife for several years about shaving off my hair. My wife received an email about St.Baldrick, an organization that recruits people of all ages to shave their heads to raise money to help fight childhood cancer. She told me that, if I was going to shave my head, I might as well do it for a worthy cause.
As it turned out, my niece's classmate and friend of the family, Patrick McSweeney, is 13 years old and is battling cancer for the 3rd time! He was told just a couple of days ago that his cancer has returned. I have included his story below:
My name is Patrick McSweeney. I was dagnosed with ALL when I was 5 years, 1 month old. I had an extremely rough first year in treatment. I had a cranial blood clot that had to be treated with blood thinners; the blood clot was a result of the drugs used to treat the leukemia. I then had pancreatitis and was in the hospital for about 2 weeks. I finished maintenance chemotherapy in September, 2007. I was in remission for 5-1/2 years, but my cancer returned in April, 2010.
Since my relapse, I am fighting leukemia with heavy dose chemotherapy. This means a lot of hospital time. But the stronger treatment means I am going to beat it for good this time!!!
You can help me and my friends battling cancer by donating to St. Baldrick's in my honor. I appreciate your support in trying to find a cure for childhood cancer. Thank you!