Advocacy

Grieving with Action

by Susan Heard
April 5, 2012

St. Baldrick’s offered me the first opportunity to do something while my son, David, battled stage IV neuroblastoma.

David’s cancer made me feel helpless, and shaving my head provided me with the chance to find hope! After David died, he asked me to shave my head again with the 46 Mommas, which I did in September 2011. While in Washington, D.C. for the Mommas’ head-shaving event, I advocated for the Creating Hope Act. I met with Representatives and Senators about the importance of research for childhood cancers. I left “The Hill” inspired that I was doing something to change the face of this awful disease.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has been my way to grieve with action — never letting the despair overwhelm me, but staying focused on bringing hope to all families who are told their child has cancer. I am grateful for the training I received on how to meet with political personnel. I brought that education back to my hometown, where I met with my Congressman and he promptly signed on as the 60th sponsor of the Creating Hope Act.

Thank you, St. Baldrick’s, for being a refuge for kids with cancer (and their families)!

Susan Heard
Easton, PA
Mother of David
Relapsed stage IV neuroblastoma
May 2, 2000 – February 10, 2011


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