After a few years of kicking the idea around, I'm finally going to participate in St. Baldrick's Day!
If you're on this page, you probably know the story of my wife and her medical issues over the past year and a half. In addition, I have gotten to know two more people in that time who were fighting cancer. One of them just recently found out that her 16 year old cousin Carmen has stage 4 bone cancer that had metastasized in her lungs - a devastating diagnosis at any age, let alone for a teenager.
The best way to share Carmen's story is through the words of her family. This is how Beth described it:
"First off, I want to thank all of the people who have sent prayers, good thoughts and words of kindness and concern for my family these past few days.
Honestly, we’re all quite devastated about Carmen’s cancer diagnosis. Which is such a stupid thing to say- I’ve yet to hear of a cancer diagnosis that ISN’T devastating on some level.
Carmen’s was very sudden. She has been complaining of leg pain for about a month now. It was initially written off as “growing pains” since there was no indication of any injury- no swelling, no bruising.
Last Thursday, February 3rd, she went in to see her pediatrician, (PEDIATRICIAN! SHE’S STILL SO YOUNG THAT SHE SEES A PEDIATRICIAN!!!!!!!), who checked her out and found nothing to indicate a problem.
On Sunday night, Carmen awoke with excruciating pain in her leg and was taken to the ER. X-Rays were taken, which showed nothing. But the doctor admitted her to the hospital and scheduled her for an MRI on Monday.
The tumor in her leg showed up during the MRI. Seeing that, her doctor order a full body scan and found the additional cancer in her lungs. Biopsies were taken, tests were run and Carmen was sent home on Wednesday morning.
The diagnosis is Stage Four bone cancer which has metastasized in her lungs. The doctors concurred that chemotherapy and radiation would do no good.
Her treatment plan is to, “Live out the remainder of her time left in as little pain as possible.”
In a span of 4 days, my family’s life has been changed. The reality comes in waves.
Jagged waves.
The unfairness and cruelty of Life that gives cancer to a vibrant, active 16 year old girl is crushing."
So, I'm having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures.
The shaving will be taking place on Saturday April 16th, at a time yet to be determined [EDIT: It will be taking place at 8:30pm EDT]. I am also planning on doing a live Ustream feed to hopefully raise a bit of last-minute money [EDIT: the link for the live video will be http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sean-mc/ ]. Trust me, I'll be spamming my Twitter and Facebook feeds with the time and the link!
I may be a one-shavee show, but I'll be just as bald – and I hope you'll cheer me on with a donation!
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government.
Your 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 kids. Thank you!
Click "Make a donation" to give online, or donate by phone or mail.
