For the second year, I am joining my fellow teachers and students and participating in the St. Baldrick’s event. We’ll stand in solidarity with kids being treated for cancer while raising money for life-saving research. Please make a donation on my head to help me reach my goal of $500, and watch me and others “Shaving the Way to Conquer Kids’ Cancer!” Now, I know what you’re thinking… Chris, you’re already bald! Yes, I am. And here is my story… I am a cancer survivor. In 2000, in the matter of a few weeks, I went from 225 lbs to 170 lbs after tumors were removed from my left kidney and I underwent chemotherapy. After losing my hair following the first of several week long rounds, I then decided that I would never let my hair grow back. I never wanted to forget where I’d been; sometimes when you start feeling better, it is too easy to forget the glory in every single day. So for the last 12 years, every morning I get up, the bathroom light shines off the top of my bald head as I look in the mirror, and I can give thanks and say, “Hey, I’m breathing… it’s a good day!” St. Baldrick’s mission to “Shave the Way to Conquer Kids’ Cancer!” has additional meaning to me. I will always dedicate my participation in St. Baldrick’s to one very special young man, my good friend Chad Curtis’s son. Barely five years old, Chad’s son was already undergoing treatment for leukemia when Chad told him of my diagnosis. As I prepared for my first round of chemotherapy, Chad’s son insisted that they drive the three hours from Charlotte, so that he could be with me as I checked into the hospital. As a veteran chemotherapy patient, he told his dad, “I need to help him be brave.” All anxiety about checking into Duke for weeklong treatments was gone as Chad’s son and I laughed and told stories. He told me about his recent trip to New York courtesy of Make-A-Wish where he got to meet Rosie O’Donnell and Elmo. We compared chest catheters (the direct line into my vena cava where the chemo meds were delivered). Of course, Chad’s son had the better one, a dual line to my single line. Most importantly, when my room became available, Chad’s son held my hand the entire way there “to help me be brave”. He stayed with me until I was settled before finally giving me a hug and leaving. I am thrilled to tell you that Chad’s son is a healthy, happy teenager today. I think of him often. He is my hero and my inspiration for participation in the St. Baldrick’s event. Yes, I am bald already. In solidarity with my fellow teachers and students on “The Bald Patriots”, and in thanks for Chad’s son, I grow out my beard. This year, I took the extra step of dying my beard green for St. Baldrick’s. Saturday, the beard will go! I encourage you to join us Saturday. It is a day filled with laughter and love. Join us. Donate. Live. Laugh. Love. It is our turn to help them be brave. Peace, Chris