My daughter Alexandra was only 5 1/2 when she was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in her right pelvis. As I am sure you have heard many times, it is a mothers (and fathers) absolute worst nightmare. What I thought was a minor dance injury was a tumor the size of an apple growing in her right pelvic bone. There was nothing I could do but put my faith in the medical community and the research that has been done. My daughter underwent 14 rounds of chemo and an agonizing 8hr surgery to remove half of her pelvis. Luckily the entire tumour was removed and radiation was not needed, but that means my daughter will always have a leg length difference and walk with a severe limp. I can't complain though as I am fortunate enough to be a mother who still enjoys the smiles and hugs of her daughter every day, unlike a few moms I know (hugs to them all). My life literally went upside down as a result of this. My emotions went crazy, my marriage crumbled, I lost many friends, my work life was set back a year and my family went through financial hardship. Not to mention how hard it was on my youngest daughter to watch her sister go through this and lose mommy to hospital stays and clinic visits all the time.
But I don't dwell on that. I recognize that I in particular have been chosen for a reason! This experience for me was not wasted in vain. I have been blessed with a chance to enjoy my daughter for the rest of my life. I now know I need to help others, raise awareness and make sure one day no parent will ever experience what I and many other Canadians have. I have dedicated my volunteer and fundraising efforts to agencies that support childhood cancer and childhood cancer research! If it was not for the research conducted over the years, my daughters specific treatment plan would not have been what it was and perhaps not as successful.
It is a total honour to attend the 2013 event and let them take my hair!!! After all my daughter spent a year without it and was just as beautiful each day as she was the one before! I strongly believe that beauty is within and prided myself on teaching both of my daughters that each and every day throughout the treatment and even now. I am a proud "46 Momma" and will sport the 'do of pride! I can recall the message I saw when my daughter was bald - It's my choice to be bald but someone I love did not have that choice!
Why am I having my head shaved? To stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, who typically lose their hair during treatment. More importantly, I'm doing it to raise funds for childhood cancer research!
Worldwide, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. The St. Baldrick's Foundation partners with organizations around the world to fund childhood cancer research. We must all do everything we can to give kids a better chance for a cure.
To support me on behalf of these very special kids, please click "Make a Donation" above, or donate by mail or phone.
Thank you for your support!
