My son River was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma at the age of two and a half in November 2014.Treatment took him from his hometown of San Antonio, to Fort Worth and eventually to New York City.

In early 2017, River's journey had taken a turn that his mom and I wish we would never have to take. In February, after spending over 40 straight days in the hospital, we decided that palliative care would be the best direction to take River's treatment. My first time on the St. Baldrick stage, River shaved my beard in front of an audience with such positive energy and jubilee that you wouldn’t think he could muster. River continued to enjoy the months of spring in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his family. He played outside on his good days and slept in his own bed on the bad ones. On the morning of June 15th, 2017, in his mother's arms and in the comfort of his own home, River earned his wings and went to join the company of other children who have passed on before their time.

River's story is unfortunately one of many that happen every year. Funding for childhood cancer treatment research is inadequate at best. The St. Baldrick's foundation targets their funding towards research and development for cancer treatments and is the best hope children have.

This year will be my 8th year shaving and I have set my funding goal at $2000; no contribution is too small, and every donation helps me get closer to that clean shave.

With your help, on March 8th, I will be walking away feeling the wind on my chin and the sun on my head!

2/13/25: ***UPDATE***

I am touched by the support I have received so far this year. I want to give a special thanks to Jason's Dreams for Kids for the such a generous donation!

I have increased my goal this year to see if I can beat my personal best this year. With your help, I can!