My name is Luke Ritchey and I am currently a freshman at Kent State University, majoring in Computer Science. This past October, I celebrated being in remission for 5 years! 

            My cancer story started on Feb. 3, 2014 at the age of 13 when I was diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitts Lymphoma/ Leukemia. I was treated at Akron Children's Hospital where I received the most fantastic care. After 9 grueling rounds of intensive chemotherapy, remission was declared in October 2014! 

          A month after I was diagnosed, in March of 2014, 17 people shaved in my honor at our Canton St. Baldrick's event. 2020 marks the 6th year that I have shaved my head or volunteered at the Canton event. 

         Throughout my journey, my family and I were blessed with the most amazing support from our family, friends and complete strangers. My hometown of Jackson Twp has been absolutely fabulous in their support of St. Baldrick's.  

        Childhood cancer research is severely underfunded...ALL childhood cancers receive less that 4% of federal funding...that's horrific!  Therefore,  there are 2 ways to show your support: Ask your friends and family to donate money in your name for YOU to shave your head with me or if you want to show your support while keeping your hair, you can simply make a monetary donation to me on my St. Baldrick's team:)  

      Thank you for supporting me and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year, including Abbey Foltz, the childhood cancer fighter who now has angel wings. Her family is responsible for creating our local event.