Why am I shaving my head, and why should you care?

Ever since I met my first patient in 1993 who was 5 years old with the wisdom of 50 years old, I knew that childhood cancer had to go.  When an 8 year old patient shared with me how being bald was so hard as other children teased her and her mother insisted that she wear a wig that was an adult wig that was itchy, I knew that St. Baldrick’s was the way to help eliminate children’s cancer.  Then, I heard the story of my sister in law who was month younger than me who endured kidney cancer in 1969 and suffered psychological effects into her adult years eventually taking her life, I knew that it was time to get myself to a St. Baldrick’s shaving event and start raising money for children’s cancer research so that the memories of Blanca, Lupita, and Beth would be honored.  I get shaved to honor these three and the many children and adults who I cared for as a hospice chaplain and priest.  I also get shaved for all those who are fighting cancer now, both children and adults. 

A challenge among friends 25 years ago has become the largest volunteer movement to Conquer Kids’ Cancer. This year, I’m joining thousands of others to shave my head to raise money for childhood cancer research!

Did you know, 1 in 5 kids diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. won’t survive? For those who do, more than 96% have severe or life-threatening conditions by the time they are 50.

Each shaved head, every dollar donated, creates a ripple effect of progress for kids with cancer.

Your gift will give kids and their families hope, supporting the best research across the country, through the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Together, let’s give these kids the lifetime they deserve. Thank you for your support!