This is the letter my wife sent out to our friends when we decided to do this.
"This coming March 17th, Brian and I will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary. Looking back over the past 5 years, we have realized how truely blessed we are. Our biggest blessing obviously being our wonderful boys, Patrick and Mason.
Our only big health issue with either child, was with Patrick over the past year and a half. Shortly after his 2nd birthday, Patrick started suffering headaches. He may have been having them before that, but he was unable to communicate his pain to us. We tried everything we could with his pediatrician to figure out the cause of the headaches, but she was at a loss and sent us to Children's Memorial Hospital. After an MRI, a venous angioma was found in Patrick's brain. A venous angioma is simply a vein abnormality, similar to a vericose vein. Ultimately, the doctors decided that they will just watch the angioma for a few years, and that Patrick's headaches are unrelated, and he was diagnosed with Early Onset Pediatrick Migraines. His headaches usually effect him 3-4 days a week, however he goes weeks at a time without having one at all, and other weeks he has a headache everyday and just sleeps. It's awful to see him in so much pain, but we've learned ways to make him more comfortable, and he copes quite well.
On our last trip to Children's for an MRI, I sat in the waiting room looking around at the other parents whose children were much sicker than mine. Some of the families were waiting to hear whether or not their child had cancer, others were waiting to find out if their child was having a recurrence. I found myself counting my blessings. I have wonderful, healthy boys that bring so much joy into our lives. I can't imagine what I would think or how I would feel if I found out if one of them had cancer. I can't imagine my life if I lost one of them to cancer.
I found myself wishing there was something I could do to change the outcome for those families.
Brian and I are raising money to support the St. Baldrick's Foundation. St. Baldrick's funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world to find cures and improve the quality of life for patients and their survivors. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants that any other organization except the U. S. government. On March 5th, Brian and I will be shaving our heads to support this wonderful cause. If you have $1 dollar to give to support this wonderful organization, we would be so grateful. If you can give more, Please Do!!!
Please take the time, as I did, to think about your blessings. I'm sure all of your lives have been touched by a child, whether it was yours or someone's close to you. Imagine how your life would be different if one of those children had cancer. If we can help one less child die from this terrible disease, it will be worth losing all of my hair. If we can keep one more parent from having to hear that their child has cancer and there are no treatment options, it will be worth it.
To make a donation, you can visit www.stbaldricks.org and search either of our names, or you can call (888) 899-BALD, or we can accept cash or check (made payable to the St. Baldrick's Foundation).
Thank you SO MUCH for your time and your support!
Heather and Brian Finegan