Dear Family and Friends, You heard right! On March 20, 2020 I'm shaving my head for the 3rd consecutive year in a row to help raise money for childhood cancer research! I will have my head shaved as part of the B-R Conquer Kids Cancer Event. By shaving my head I will show solidarity with children who lose their hair while undergoing treatment for cancer. 

 At the same time I will be raising money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a charity that has raised over $120,000,000 in funding for the most advanced research for cures for childhood cancers and the best pediatric oncologists in the U.S. 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. 

 Last year, I joined more than 100 Shavee’s and personally raised $1,278 at this wonderful event. It is my hope that with your generous support this year I will be able to raise even more, this is why I have set my goal at $1,500. When you sponsor me you are really sponsoring those children who are battling cancer. 

Every year, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation selects five Ambassadors to represent the thousands of kids touched by childhood cancer from many different geographic areas, age groups, disease types and more. These BRAVE kids serve as a reminder that childhood cancer doesn’t discriminate and that one in five kids diagnosed in the U.S. will not survive. 

 Every year my Mom and I read and discuss the five Ambassadors selected to represent St. Baldrick’s Foundation and this year was no different except, this year there was one particular story which hit me harder than any others, so much so that I looked at my mom and said, “Mommy this year I want to shave my head for the Decker Twins”…please read their story below. 

 Joel and Seth Decker are identical twins with a very special bond not even cancer could separate. They were born together, slept together, constantly played together, ate every meal together and they got into trouble together. But in an ironic twist of fate, the twins were diagnosed with cancer; Seth was diagnosed with a rare form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in December 2016 and three months later, a biopsy revealed Joel also had AML. With the overlapping diagnoses and treatments, the family endured months of separation and treasured the few weeks they could be together at home. Despite both boys receiving bone marrow transplants and enduring the complications from the procedures, they relapsed. Surrounded by their loving family, Joel died on November 1, 2017 at the age of three, followed by Seth on May 10, 2018 when he was four years old. Joel is remembered for his joy and zest for life; he was always laid back and happy even through the cancer. Seth loved his family and was true to himself; he was stubborn and a fighter but even in pain he was sweet with a smile. 

 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. My BEFORE picture is posted above and my Mom will be sure to post some after pictures once I’m shaved. Thanks for all your support and donations. 

 Love, Daniel Joseph