Why am I shaving my head, and why should you care?

A challenge among friends 25 years ago has become the largest volunteer movement to Conquer Kids’ Cancer. This year, I’m joining thousands of others to shave my head to raise money for childhood cancer research!

Did you know, 1 in 5 kids diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. won’t survive? For those who do, more than 96% have severe or life-threatening conditions by the time they are 50.

Each shaved head, every dollar donated, creates a ripple effect of progress for kids with cancer.

Your gift will give kids and their families hope, supporting the best research across the country, through the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

This will be my 11th time as a Shavee.  It is such a privilege to be a part of this amazing effort and I hope you will join me in donating to the cause.

Having taken care of so many kids with cancer during my career in emergency medicine, shaving for St. Baldrick's was always personal for me.  It became even more so when our neighbor, Lia, was diagnosed with leukemia as a toddler.  As I dedicated my hair to her recovery back then and each year since, we all held our collective breaths through her bouts of chemotherapy and cheer her successful outcome.  Now she is a thriving kindergartener, a purple belt in Kung Fu, taking up basketball, and from bald to a full head of beautiful hair as the attached photos attest.  

Lia is a shining example of the amazing results from research into curing pediatric cancer, results that can only continue to improve with contributions like yours to St. Baldrick's Foundation.

Together, let’s give these kids the lifetime they deserve. Thank you for your support!