Joseph R.Follow

Our oldest son Joey was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in February of 2006, and underwent extremely intense inpatient treatment for 6 months. After experiencing the nightmare that is childhood cancer; a world filled with spinal taps, blood draws, bone marrow biopsies, life threatening infections and the spectre of relapse an ever present reality, we are fortunate and grateful for Joey's current state of good health. Joey has been cancer free for almost 5 years, and is an intelligent, curious and healthy 3rd grader. No child should experience what Joey endured, and no parent should helplessly watch their child suffer through treatment- or worse.

Advances in treatment have primarily been a result of increasing the dosage of the current chemotherapy regimen, and we have reached the ceiling with regards to levels of toxicity. Although research has resulted in a better understanding of the disease, this has not yet translated into improved treatment options. The one new drug introduced within the past 25 years was recently removed from the list of approved drugs. With a 5 year survival rate of 40-50%, a cure for most patients will not be a reality without new forms of treatment.

I am shaving my head because St. Baldrick's is the single largest private contributor to childhood cancer research, and after my son's experience with this disease, I am committed to finding a cure.