Carolyn (Twin B) is competing against her twin, Katherine, to see who can raise more money for childhood cancer research. It’s a challenge for a great cause! Carolyn explains why she is shaving this weekend and why you should donate on her head instead of her sister’s!
There are so many things running through my head as I write this post. I feel excited, scared, a little bashful, a little quirky, and most of all ready to jump in and go bald!
I am so eager to share why I’m supporting St. Baldrick’s and why there is a twin challenge between me and my twin, Katherine.
My little sister, Lindsay, shaved her head last year for St. Baldrick’s. I honestly thought she was nuts. I supported her through it, but I could not even fathom shaving my head — if I did, I didn’t think anyone would support me. Lindsay is honestly one of the most energetic, brave and thoughtful people I have ever known. When she came home and said she was starting a team this year, Katherine and I jumped at the opportunity to join the fight.
Katherine, Carolyn’s twin, helps shave their younger sister’s head for St. Baldrick’s.
I cannot fully explain the powerful emotions that have surrounded me through my journey to shave my head. There are some key things that happened in the last couple of years that have molded me and convinced me to do what I am doing.
I lost my aunt Margo two years ago to lung cancer. She was a great woman, and she looked wonderful with long hair and with no hair. Her son, my cousin Billy, was just diagnosed with colon cancer at age 35. Two of my uncles also have colon cancer, and in the twin community, Katherine and I know a set of twins dealing with brain cancer diagnoses. In the last couple of years, cancer has meant more to me than just my astrological sign.
I am shaving for everyone who has had the word “cancer” enter his or her vocabulary.
A year ago in January, Katherine and I were running a 10-mile race. We loved to run and loved to support races that gave back — races that gave to the community, races that gave for a specific cause. When I would run races, people could see the results and see what I was doing for that cause.
At that particular 10-miler, I passed out at mile eight. A few days later, I was diagnosed with a genetic heart condition called Long QT syndrome. This condition causes erratic heartbeats that could result in death. My running days were over, and not long after, Katherine also discovered she had the condition. Since we are genetically identical twins, it was only a matter of time before she was diagnosed.
Katherine, Carolyn and Lindsay often did charity runs together, until the twins were diagnosed with a heart condition.
This caused a lot of emotional struggles. I didn’t know what I was going to do, and I felt scared and self-conscious about what was going on with me and with my sister. Participating in St. Baldrick’s is my way to overcome my personal trauma and losses, and wear that badge of honor. I am choosing to shave my head — some people do not have the choice.
So let’s talk about the challenge.
If you have ever heard that siblings are competitive, well, twins are worse. (I am sure we will compare each one of our blogs when it is posted.) Katherine and I work at advertising agencies in Cleveland, Ohio. Katherine works at GO2Advertsing, and I work at Marcus Thomas LLC. When our respective workplaces found out that we were shaving our heads, they wanted to make it fun for us, the agency and our communities. Naturally, Katherine and I agreed and the #BaldTwinChallenge was born.
There is no “winner.” But I mean, let’s face it, there is a winner — bragging rights for the best twin and agency! And of course, kids with cancer will win through your donations to St. Baldrick’s.
I cannot express how happy I am to shave my head for such a wonderful cause and to be doing it with my two sisters, Katherine and Lindsay.
So, let’s get down to the pitch. I should win because:
1. I was born second, meaning I am “twin B.” So for my whole life, Katherine has been rubbing it in my face that she is older.
2. I am usually the underdog. She won’t agree, but it’s still on my list.
3. I am so excited to shave my head.
4. Plus, I would look better bald.
So please support me while I #BravetheShave for St. Baldrick’s in this wonderful #BaldTwinChallenge. Go Twin B!
Cheer for Carolyn and contribute to lifesaving childhood cancer research. Give on her head.
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