I'm shaving my head for the 6th year to raise money for childhood cancer research! Did you know that kids' cancers are different from adult cancers? It's true. And childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So I decided to do something about it by raising money for cures.

This is a personal effort for me, as my cousin Angela was just shy of 20 when she died of melanoma. I also participate in honor of a coworker's daughter who received a heart transplant in her 30s due to treatment for cancer as a child. I am proud to add Laura O, Chris C,  and Steven D to my memory list on behalf of friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones. And in honor of 12 year old Nathaniel L. and 16 year old Jacob M. who are both currently cancer free!

This year I am adding Izzy V to my honor list. She is a young girl who lives on my block and was just diagnosed in January with an aggressive brain tumor. She had an 8 hour surgery and the family is anticipating further chemo as about 2% of the tumor could not be removed from her brainstem. 

The increases in Childhood cancer diagnoses need an increase in funds for research.  The research impacts improved early diagnosis, and also helps explore medical treatment options that have less of a toll on children’s growing bodies. For kids, the long term effects of cancer and cancer treatments are a significant quality of life concern. 

Will you make a donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults diagnosed with childhood cancers.