Yes, that will be me come July 8th. A shavee. As you many of you know, I had my own significant battle last year with Lymphoma. Although nothing like it was then, I am still fighting. I long to hear those words “in remission” and I want to hear them said confidently by my oncologist.
So while that rages on, I want to support others as I was supported. I am choosing to be a shavee at the St. Baldrick’s event on July 8th at 1pm at University of Nebraska’s Medical Center in the Durham Outpatient Center Atrium in Omaha, NE.
Why? Because I wish cancer did not have to be a reality for kids. I wish it wasn’t a reality at all! I remember spending summers riding my bike, swimming, playing softball, and just goofing about. But if you are a kid who is getting chemo, you have a hard time doing any of that due to chemo treatments and the side effects, doctor’s appointments, and/or radiation.
I was never bothered by losing my hair. I found it fascinating to see how it fell out (and yes, it does come out in clumps) and how much hair I really had after it clogged the drain on a daily basis. But what did bother me was the stares. For the first month or so, the stares were hard for me to manage. I dreaded being out and remember going to get groceries at really odd times to avoid large crowds. The first few times I had to go to large meetings at work were bothersome. But as time passes, you forget that you ever had hair, or what you looked like “before”, and I would even forget to put on my hat when I would leave my house to go somewhere. There were many moments of “oh crap, I forgot my hat” and would have to run back to get it. Although I had learned to ignore the stares, I still didn’t welcome them. What I noticed most of all was that kids get the most stares. I wonder if it because we all find it impossible that anyone that young should have to confront such serious things. Or maybe that is just me. I think kids should know of playing, biking, swimming, movies, the ice cream truck, camping outside, and a 1000 other fun things that have nothing at all to do with a doctor or a doctor’s office.
Because I believe this so strongly, I am going to shave my head in support of all the kids who are in their own cancer fight and raise money for cancer research in kids. If you would like to come see on July 8th, I would love it! Or if you prefer to put a bounty on my head and donate, you can give directly online or by phone (888-899-BALD).
You can count on this donation being used responsibly. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. In 2010 alone, they gave over $14 million – that’s more in grants for childhood cancer research than any other organization except theU.S.government. And all because nearly 38,000 people shaved their heads!
On behalf of some really awesome kids, thank you for your support! Anissa
