Year 14!!

In the fall of 2015 & the summer of 2023, I had brain tumors removed at Lurie’s at the ages of 14 & 21. In 2015; after having pounding headaches & vomiting, I went to St. Alexis for a CAT scan where they found a mass in my right ventricle. After being transferred to Lurie’s, I had an MRI which latter confirmed the mass was a non- cancerous tumor, and I had surgery to remove it, the following morning. I spent a few weeks at Lurie’s relearning how to walk, talk & write. I spent a few months after that in occupational, speech & physical therapy before returning to the classroom, where I continued in 8th grade. After 8 years & yearly MRI, the tumor was slowly growing back year by year. The summer of 2023, I had the second tumor removed And I was released from the hospital a little after 24 hours with no further care needed besides my regular, annual scans.

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, trimmed hair, 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.

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