Dear friends and family,

For the 18th consecutive year—I am going to shave my head for St. Baldrick's to raise money for childhood cancer research on March 13. As always, it will be a night of community and hope for a future where no one will need to raise funds for pediatric cancer research.

I bet we all have personal connections to children with cancer. For me, it seems to strike from everywhere—neighbors, school, and now at work. 

"Team Teddy" was created as a way for us to join together and show support for Teddy Gerber and his family during a difficult time. Teddy Gerber, then a third grader, was diagnosed with an Undifferentiated Sarcoma in November 2009. Very sadly, Teddy passed away in August 2010 after a very long and brave fight. Sadly, this past year my friend and Teddy’s father, Bill Gerber, passed away from complications from a brain tumor. I know he and Teddy are together and cheering us on.

The Gerber family has continued Team Teddy in his honor and to raise money on behalf of so many other brave kids fighting cancer now. Since 2010 our team has raised nearly 1.8 million dollars ($155K last year alone). St. Baldrick’s is the largest non-government grant underwriter for pediatric cancer research. This funding is more important than ever with our administration’s cutting of research budgets. I pray that maybe these dollars we raise this year will be the ones that help fund a cure.

I cannot thank you enough for your continued support.
 
With love and gratitude,
Jim