Here’s how it all started:



I got a voicemail about a week ago. It was my friend, Tom Selquist telling me to “Save the Date” for an event he was organizing. It’s called St. Baldrick’s. He went on to explain that St. Baldrick’s is an organization whose goal is to raise money for childhood cancer research. The way they raise money is by holding events all over the country, typically around St. Patrick’s Day, at Irish pubs. At these events, people shave their heads to show solidarity with kids that have lost their hair due to cancer treatments. I immediately called him back, and as a joke, I said, “ I’ll do it.” Well, Tom was so excited, that I stopped and asked myself, “Why CAN’T I?” After several emails back and forth, consulting with my cousin who has had her head shaved to donate her hair, I considered it more.



The tipping point for me was an amazing kid that I had the privilege and honor to work with at the physical therapy clinic I work at. This kid was seen at the clinic about 2 years ago for knee pain. She ended up being diagnosed with cancer and going through multiple chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. She recently returned to our clinic when she was well enough to “get back in shape”. I was floored by her strength, drive, and overall positive attitude after all she’d been through, and what she continues to go through. Her mom was of equal inspiration to me. Both of them always came in with smiles on their faces and quiet, but fierce determination to “get it done”. As a parent, I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to go through such a journey with your child. So, in part, I am doing this for them. I’m also doing it for all of the kids, parents, brothers and sisters that have had to deal with a family member’s cancer diagnosis. We’ve all been touched by cancer in one way or another and this is just one small thing that I can do to help out just a little bit.



If you’d like to help out, there are a few ways. Check out www.stbaldricks.org. There’s tons of info about the charity and the kids they are helping. You can join me in baldness, donate to my team (search Karen Tom or Keaton Tom who will be joining me in baldness), or just come to the event on Sunday, March 10th at 2 pm at Poor Herbie’s in Madison. Or you could loan me a hat…



Thanks!


Karen