You heard it right - We're shaving heads in solidarity with children who have cancer and typically lose their hair during treatment, while raising critical funds for childhood cancer research! And some of our teammates are shaving their heads in solidarity with children who have cancer! Our team is shaving in honor of Scott Lackas, and this is his story...

This story is about a little boy that touched the lives and hearts of many. At the age of 10, Scott Lackas was diagnosed with Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. This was a very rare cancer and at the time he was one of two cases in the United States. Needless to say everyone was unsure of what would happen. He first suffered from two collapsed vertebrate in his lower back that led to the finding of a tumor and a body full of cancer. Because of his collapsed vertebrae, Scotty was put into a body brace that enclosed his entire upper body and his left leg. For Scotty the joy of running to play tag with friends and riding his bike around town was gone. Things were changing and he didn’t like it. But the biggest change and ultimate hit of reality was when Scotty started to lose hair as a result of the chemotherapy. There is nothing more emotional than to watch someone’s hair fall out in large chunks, reminding you of the illness that lies beneath. Going bald was very emotional for Scotty and his friends and family. However, it was his friends and family that found the beauty in being bald and decided to support Scotty by hosting a head shaving celebration at his elementary school. Teachers, students, friends and family all shaved their heads in support of Scotty. It was a heartwarming event and truly showed Scotty that he was not alone in his battle and that there were people that cared. That day it was stated with pride that “Bald is Beautiful” and for a moment that day, Scotty didn’t feel ‘different’.

Scotty battled cancer for two years. He had undergone many rounds of chemo, a bone marrow transplant and many rounds of radiation. Scotty was blessed and went into remission in June of 2000 and once again got to ride a bike and run with his friends. During the months in remission he was a boy that lived each day as if it were his last and never let the thought of cancer get him down. Then, later that summer, the cancer had returned with vengeance, but it still never got the best of Scotty. Each and every day he fought to make his life worth living. He always had a smile that would fill a room with joy and a laugh that could only make you laugh right along with him. He was courageous, positive and down right AMAZING! Scotty passed away at the age of twelve and left a mark on the hearts of many.

In the US, more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease. Please make a donation on my behalf to support childhood cancer research so that all children diagnosed with cancer will have a better chance for a cure.

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