Let me get right to the point. I am shaving my head this March. It is not to rebel or give myself gratification, but to lead others into the awareness of childhood cancer. While children each day fight to survive, their families fight to maintain hope despite the ever-rising cost of treatment. St. Baldrick’s is an organization that helps provide financial relief to families as they face this challenging time in their lives.

Each year Quaker Steak and Lube has a fundraising event for St. Baldrick’s where servers feel moved to donate their tips, and volunteers come forward to shave their heads. Many volunteers, such as myself, register with St. Baldrick’s as a “shavee” and raise money independently for the organization. I work for Quaker Steak and Lube, and each year I have watched as these brave men and women came forward to donate the money they have raised. I usually gave my tips, but this year I feel I can do more.

I have told you what I am doing. Now, let me tell you a little about who I am and why I feel moved to join those who have given above and beyond. I am an Intervention Specialist/Early Childhood Education major at Malone University. I work with many students in different places in their lives. Some of these incredible students have mild disabilities, some more severe. I see the children’s families work so hard to provide all that they can, and some are never able to get ahead. I can only imagine the life a parent must live with a child who is stricken with a devastating illness.

As a mother, I have watched my toddler grow and develop. I have been blessed that my son, Aiden, has only suffered mild earaches and runny noses, but this was not always the case. While I was pregnant, we had a rough eight months. Between brutal morning sickness, stress tests, and an amniocentesis, my doctor prepared me for the worst possible outcome. Once Aiden was born, we realized that he was underdeveloped, but luckily, he has grown to be a young, carefree, adorable boy. He is my light, my love, and what I work hard for everyday. He may grow up and think that “mommy is silly” because she shaved her head, but I want him to grow up knowing that his mother stood up for what she believed in and set an example for him to follow.

A child with a severe illness is a tough reality, and I want to give my hair because children each day give their lives for a cure. Parents courageously sacrifice their money and all their hope for a cure. I want to help lessen their financial burden and raise money in support of the great work St. Baldrick’s is doing, so please join with me to help fight and end childhood cancer!