St. Baldricks has been a fundraising event that has been near and dear to my heart since it first started in Louisville. I have been a Pediatric Oncology nurse for the past 12 years. I have been fortunate enough to care for a countless number of children and families. All of whom have shaped the person I am today…my values, beliefs and views have all been influenced by what I consider to be the most precious career anyone could be a part of.

I am so thankful for the advances in medicine thus far. However, I have found nothing more difficult or heart wrenching than to look a precious child in the eyes and to say “I am sorry but your cancer is stronger than any treatment we have.” Without further research, we will not have the power to continue bringing hope to the bravest kids in the world. So, with your donations further advancements in research can give these children the chance at the bright future they all long for and deserve.
Being alongside these children as they have fought their battles, I have held a child’s hand and prayed that she would live to make her senior prom…that he would live long enough and feel well enough to enjoy his Make-A-Wish-Trip…that he/she would live to have a chance to go to summer camp. Cancer is not fair. As the saying goes, cancer sucks. “The Beast” as it has been named by one of my precious angels knows no boundaries. No child should ever be faced with The Beast. With research, we have the power to discover/invent/find a cure to end this Beast and to provide these children with a future.

St. Baldrick's events are the largest volunteer-driven fundraising opportunities that benefit pediatric cancer research. The St. Baldrick's Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any other organization except for the U.S. government. Of every dollar raised through St. Baldricks, 82% funds research to find a cure, 16% goes to fundraising (website, phones, postage, printing, t-shirts, office space, staff, etc.) and 2% goes to administration (accounting, distributing and monitoring grants, etc.). Without research, it is impossible for advancements in treatment. This means advances in prognoses and cure rates also are impossible.

Because of the strength that I have witnessed from so many pediatric oncology patients and families over the years, I feel like I have to do my part to reach the cures we so desperately need. I have chosen to not “just raise money” this year. Although raising money is the ultimate goal and I am so very thankful for every penny raised, I want to go all the way this year and shave my head. I can’t begin to imagine how many times while doing chemotherapy education I have said, “its only hair.” In the big picture it is “only hair.” However, when it is your hair, it seems to be so much more. How can I preach that being bald is okay if I have never been bald myself??? These precious children do not have the choice. If they want to survive…to live…being bald is a given. They have to be brave. They have to be strong. I will tell you from experience that children are stronger and more resilient than any adult I have ever encountered. Because of the lessons I have learned from all of the children I have cared for, I am going to be brave this year & shave my head. After all these years of raising money and cheering on other colleagues, family, and friends, I am finally going to do it. I am becoming BALD on March 10th!!! I will have a special patient, friend and angel by my side to have the honor of shaving my hair …Mr. Aiden Lee Johnson. I have been inspired by his strength and courage, as well as, that of some many other precious children.

I need your help to reach my fundraising goal…but more importantly they need your help to survive.
2/3/13 Thanks to my awesome donors I have had to raise my fundraising goal!!!! You guys rock!!! Please continue to spread the word & help me to raise as much as possible for a cause that is not only the nearest and dearest to my heart but it is also so very much in need of our support. With our support, advancements in pediatric oncology research are possible...development of cures for these precious children is possible.