I personally feel drawn to this cause and am working hard to organize fundraising events for St. Baldrick's at Emmaus High School here in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. I am blessed to not have struggled with cancer, but I lost two grandparents to this awful disease, and my grandmother is a uterine cancer survivor. In November 2009, cancer affected me even more directly when my mom, Stefanie, was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the past I've worn pink ribbons and donated money here and there, but this has been an eye-opening experience. I now have an even greater understanding of how terrible this disease truly is. I cannot imagine what it must be like for children (and their families) to deal with the emotional and physical rollercoaster of being diagnosed with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy treatments and surgeries, experiencing the subsequent pain and suffering, and repeating the process over and over, literally fighting for their lives while trying to maintain an positive attitude. My mom had to shave her head two days before Christmas, and I give so much credit to everyone affected by this terrible, terrible disease. I wanted to shave my head in solidarity with my mom and her battle with cancer, but before I did, I discovered the St. Baldrick's Foundation. I am inspired by every brave patient, young and old, and feel moved to contribute to such an important cause: cancer research. As an English teacher and track coach, I work with many wonderful people on a daily basis. I am fortunate to be able to create an opportunity for my track and field athletes, students, colleagues, community members, and friends and family to also contribute to St. Baldrick's. So that's what we're doing, and it's all for kids with cancer. And I'm throwing vanity out the window! Many cancer patients don't have a choice when it comes to losing their hair, but I do, and I'm shaving my head to support them. "Cancer is a word, not a sentence." *** I thank everyone in advance for his or her generosity. If you'd like to give more than a donation and want to help at our event, EHS Shave for the Brave, please contact me at PetruSha@eastpennsd.org. Again, thank you so much! ***