I feel like cancer is all around me. I can't even begin to count the number of people I know who currently have, or in the past have had, cancer. It's such an ugly disease and it does not discriminate who it inhabits...however the beauty I see that comes from cancer is the heroism that emerges from each person fighting it. The courage and bravery to endure the grueling treatments. The strength to keep fighting when they feel like they have nothing left to give. And the resiliency to face another day with a smile on their face, even when it hurts. I have been a nurse now for 8 years and I am not sure I have ever been so impacted by my patients until I started taking care of babies, children and adolescents with childhood cancer. This year I am shaving in honor of each one, who have given me the blessing of witnessing their tremendous courage and strength. THEY are the beautiful ones and THEY are my heroes. They inspire me to no end and have taught me what it means to truly LIVE. A very special teenage patient of mine named Madison will be shaving me. I am also shaving in memory of my cousin Keani Barbadillo who passed away on July 25, 2013.





So why St. Baldricks? Well...this volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government.

Your financial gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these amazing kids. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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