My Great Friend Mike Lamonica and his wife Christine lost their 3 year old daughter to cancer 11 years ago, Juliana (JJ) was born around the same time our son, Jake was born. They used to play with each other when they were very young, until Juliana became sick with Leukemia. Jake has just turned 14, i cannot believe it has been that long ago. Each year we shave our heads with St. Baldrick's to raise money and help conquer kids' cancer. If you do not know about St. Baldrick's they are committed to giving 100% of the donation to cancer research, not like many other fundraisers.
Below Mike wrote this the first year of St. Baldrick's, it brings tears to my eyes every time i read it and it makes me appreciate every moment I live:
"On July 5th 2010 my life changed forever. I lost the most beautiful precious person in the world to me. My daughter Juliana "JJ" was strong and courageous well beyond her 3 years here on this earth. She touched so many lives and I am amazed by the acts of kindness and love shown by people that knew her well and also from people who did not know her. I am participating in this event to honor her and the many friends still fighting through cancer treatments that we met along the way. I also am doing this in hopes that someday maybe some child and their family won't have to go through a cancer "journey" at all. Please make a donation on my behalf to support childhood cancer research so that all children diagnosed with cancer will have a better chance for a cure. Thank you for your support!"
From St. Baldrick's:
I'm shaving my head with St. Baldrick's to raise money and help conquer kids' cancers! Every 2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer worldwide, and 1 in 5 of those in the U.S. will not survive.
I refuse to accept this reality, so I’ve decided to fundraise for lifesaving research to find cures and better treatments for kids.
Now I need your support! Your donation can fund research to help kids survive and thrive.
Thanks Jamie Coles