Leukemia survivor and three-time shavee Carolyn Koncal shares her experience as a teen with cancer and tells us why she thinks Bald is Beautiful.

In January 1994, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of childhood cancer. I was 14 years old and in the 8^th grade. Being diagnosed as a teen wasn’t easy. I became isolated from my friends and classmates, my priorities in life changed, and people treated my differently because I was the “girl with cancer.”

I was losing control over my life, when my friends were gaining control and independence in theirs. I had to stop going to school due to the risk of getting sick, and I got a tutor just so I could graduate on time. I spent my days in a hospital or at home alone. When I did get to spend time with my friends, no one knew what to say, and I grew apart from them.

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Scott Diede, M.D., Ph.D., a St. Baldrick’s Scholar at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, explains alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma symptoms, treatment options, and research opportunities.

What is alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma?

There are two main types of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of childhood cancer: embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

• Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) occurs most often in children under 10 years old and is found in the head, neck, urinary tract, or reproductive organs. It is the most common type.
• Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is more aggressive, occurs more commonly in teens or young adults, and usually starts in the torso, arms, or legs.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue cancer in children, with approximately 350 new cases each year in the United States.

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Motherhood is a sweet privilege.
Having a child with cancer is a cruel torture.
My daily reality: Being “that” mother who lost her child to cancer.

Four years ago, during the latter stages of Jordan’s cancer treatments for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, our family was invited to be the PGA’s special guests at “The Players” Championship Golf Tournament in Jacksonville, Florida.

That would be my last Mother’s Day with Jordan.

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The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a proud charity partner in the Naperville Marathon for 2013! The race is closed to new participants, but a limited number of charity slots are available. When you reserve a charity slot with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation you must commit to raising a minimum of $200 for childhood cancer research, and in return you will not only receive entry to this sold out race, but will get 50% off any Naperville Marathon entry fee and a free race jersey.

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In less than five months, the St. Baldrick’s community has raised more than $29 million for childhood cancer research!

Our friends at AmWINS Group, Inc. are kicking off their shoes to celebrate this success and help raise even more money for the cause through their casual and flip-flop days. Since 2011, AmWINS has raised $28,000 for childhood cancer research through their Casual to Conquer fundraisers.

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by Angeline Rose Troy

Finding ways to cure childhood cancers is something I’ve felt very strongly about ever since I was a little girl and my friend, Michelle, was diagnosed with leukemia. She was 7 years old.

Michelle began chemotherapy, and when she began to lose her lovely long blonde locks, she made the decision to shave the rest of her hair completely off. I thought it would be scary for her, but she took each day in stride.

I remember Michelle becoming too weak and frail to be able to run around outside and play, yet still having this huge respect and appreciation for everything and everyone around her. I felt so sad and helpless. Why couldn’t the doctors fix Michelle? How did my beautiful friend get sick in the first place? And why wasn’t she getting better?

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Last week, the childhood cancer world lost one of its true pioneers. In the 1950s and ‘60s, combinations of chemotherapy drugs were first proven effective in curing cancer — specifically acute lymphoblastic leaukemia (ALL), one of the most common cancers in children.

The road to this groundbreaking discovery was long and often heartbreaking. Two of the leaders in this work were Dr. Emil Freirich and Dr. Emil Frei, III (February 21, 1924 – April 30, 2013). Due to the similarity in names, the latter became known as Tom.

Dr. Frei was known as an eternal optimist and was admired for challenging preconceptions. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation salutes his ability to think outside the box and to persist in the face of enormous odds, to find cures for kids with leukemia.

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In 2008, David was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer in children. Cancer took David’s life three years later, when he was 10 years old. David’s mom, Susan, writes this letter to her son.

by Susan Heard

Dear David,

It is your 13^th birthday today. I remember the day you were born like it was just yesterday. I started writing you a birthday letter at your first birthday because there was so much I wanted you to know about YOU and how you impacted our lives so deeply. My plan was to share the letters with you when you headed off to college. They were intended to remind you of where you came from, how much you are loved and to encourage you to keep growing and exploring.

For your 10^th birthday letter, I decided to read it out loud to you because it would be your last birthday. I couldn’t get through it, and you took the letter from my hands and read it. It made me so proud — you were fearless in the face of the worst news.

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Host a Casual to Conquer fundraiser in your office to raise money for children’s cancer research with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation! Empower your employees to have a little fun with casual days that makes an impact for children with cancer.

“Casual to Conquer is not only a great way to support a cause our firm has embraced, but a great way to enhance employee morale. Some mornings it just makes getting off to work easier knowing you can slip into a pair of jeans and flip-flops.”
-Kristin Downey, Director of Human Resources, AmWINS Group, Inc.

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Congratulations, YOUR combined efforts have raised more than $28 million to help cure childhood cancer!

The amazing group of volunteers and shavees at the Tortoise and Hare event in Arlington, Virginia, are very excited to help us announce this next million dollar milestone! Our friends hosted their St. Baldrick’s event this past weekend and raised more than $25,000 for pediatric oncology research!

The event was held in honor of St. Baldrick’s Honored Kid, Mason, who passed away from medulloblastoma, a type of childhood cancer, in October 2007. His mother, Danielle, an avid supporter and St. Baldrick’s shavee, served as the event’s guest speaker and was there to cheer on the 25 volunteers who shaved in solidarity with all kids who have been affected by cancer.

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