I'm excited and honored to join the Live Out Loud fundraising team again this year! The research we're funding is terribly important and extraordinarily urgent: every 2 minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer, yet pediatric cancer research is deeply underfunded. 

In 2020, I raised $2,000 for St. Baldrick's, but because the Brave The Shave event at Captain Hiram's Resort was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic (which had only just emerged at the time), I did not shave my head as I'd planned. 

We are now preparing for the 2022 event, and I will FINALLY be shaving off my 24" of long blonde hair as a first-time St. Baldrick's Shavee! 

That's right! It's happening! I'm "going bald" at the Brave the Shave event on March 19, 2022, not only to raise as much money as I can, but also to raise awareness, show my support, inspire hope, bring smiles, and stand in solidarity with countless kids who are battling cancer. 

Cancer affects kids of all ages: infants, children, teens, and young adults. The treatments and the types of cancers themselves are extremely varied and differ from adult cancers. 

Children who are fighting cancer are also immunocompromised, making them more vulnerable to other diseases, such as COVID-19. We need to do everything we can to protect these kids and help them live long, happy lives. 

We need to develop better, safer treatments – ones designed specifically for children. Chemo is hard on everyone battling cancer, but it's especially devastating for our smallest fighters. Most survivors continue to deal with chronic health problems as a result of the surgeries, radiation, and chemo. That's why St. Baldrick's also funds research to improve supportive care for patients.

Unfortunately, only 4% of federal cancer research funding in the US is solely dedicated to pediatric cancer. And almost no money at all comes from pharmaceutical companies because childhood cancer drugs are not profitable. On top of it all, donations have been down sharply since the pandemic. That's why we need your help. By donating, you can help change the outlook for thousands of kids.

Team Live Out Loud raises money as though lives depend on it (because they do)! We are a small but MIGHTY team that has raised over $115,000 since 2013. This will be my 2nd year, but it's our team's 10th year, and as always, we've set some huge goals.

I've been growing out my hair for the past 5 YEARS JUST FOR THIS, and I can’t wait to join my friends on the shaving stage in 2022! Come along for the ride! 

THANK YOU!

P.S. -  Thank you all so much for helping me reach my fundraising goal of $2,022! Let's keep the ball rolling and hit some stretch goals! You're the best!

P.P.S - You've helped me DOUBLE my original goal! Thank you all again for your commitment to St. Baldrick's! Together we can #GiveKidsALifetime!