I'm one of the Volunteer Event Organizers for the event# 12331 at Solvay High School. I am also a teacher at the high school.

I decided to do something about cancer after my beloved Dad passed away in 2015. I witnessed how cancer ravages a body. I cannot imagine watching a child try to battle cancer.

I learned stuff about cancer. I learned that in the U.S. 1 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer will not survive and of those who do, 2 out of 3 will suffer long-term effects from treatment. Before they turn 20, about 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will have cancer. This is a staggering statistic. One I don't like and want desperately to diminish to zero! 

After a conversation with my friend and colleague, Pat Campbell-Kochanek, and with a focus to include our students in this opportunity to make a difference, we asked the Solvay High School Principal, Mr. T., if we could have the event right there in the high school. He was enthusiastic in his support providing more support than either of us could have imagined.

From there, an avalanche of support from the entire district lead to our 1st head-shaving event in 2016 and an outpouring of support from the community. We had 39 Shavees to include the District Superintendent, a Vice-Principal, faculty, staff, and students.  Our generous community raised over $22,000!

So, I'm back this year to be both a VEO and Shavee. Again shaving my head to raise money for childhood cancer research! Did you know that kids' cancers are different from adult cancers? It's true. And childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So I decided to do something about it by raising money for cures.

Now I need your help! Will you make a donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers.