We've teamed up to have our heads shaved – to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. In creating this team of heroes, I am honoring KJ Ricci, the son of a high school friend, Kevin Ricci. Read KJ's story as written by his mother, Tammy Ricci. Many prayers and blessings to KJ, Kevin, and Tammy as they fight for KJ's health and recovery. Stand Tall for KJ!! KJ is a 10 year old boy full of love and laughter, with a special soul that can brighten anyone’s life he comes into contact with. He is also a boy that has already been confronted with many trials, including Autism and a bone disorder that has required many surgeries throughout his young life. However, these battles were only a prelude to his greatest challenge that began on the night of December 13, 2011, when KJ was diagnosed with Philadelphia Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This is a rare form of Leukemia that only a handful of children in the country per year are diagnosed with. The story began with just a belly ache and a mother’s intuition that something was just not right. After visiting KJ’s pediatrician, she agreed that we needed to do some additional testing as she couldn't quite put a finger on what the issue was. We were sent to Hasbro Children’s Hospital ER for a further look, where they did some routine testing including blood work and x-rays. We anxiously waited for the results, and after several hours, the ER Doctor finally asked us to join him in a private consultation room. Our worst nightmare was quickly confirmed as he told us that KJ had Leukemia; our entire whole world was immediately and irrevocably changed. Since that night, our lives have been filled with both setbacks and victories, great and small. This journey we’ve begun will be long and will have many ups and downs, but we truly believe that we will fight though this and that KJ will overcome this latest challenge. Until he does, we will continue to support him with every last reserve of energy and love that we have. He is a superhero in every sense of the word, and with the support of family, friends, medical staff and compassionate people by our side, there is no other option but to beat this! So we proudly STAND TALL FOR KJ!!!! Please support us with a donation to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when we ask for your support, we're really asking you to support these kids. Thank you! Click "Make a donation" to give online, or donate by phone or mail. Thank you!! For me personally, I am getting my head shaved to honor a very dear friend of mine who lost her battle to a rare form of cancer 1 1/2 yr's ago. Love you KGP. Always in our hearts. May we continue to strive to find new ways to beat this devastating disease.