Hey, friends and neighbors, I would like to appeal to your kindness and compassion for a cause that has hit home for me and our family through a young gentleman that we've known for over 5 years. His name is Connor Johnson. He is 10 yrs old and I was his Scout Leader the last 4 years. He and Ian, my oldest son, started Scouts together 5 years ago and have become good friends. They became Boy Scouts together 1 month ago. We learned of Connors condition literally the day after. A little more about Connor; he is very intelligent, exceptionally creative, free spirited and highly energetic. He loves hockey and the Hurricanes. He can Heely like no one I've ever seen - ZOOM! His artistic skills are remarkable. Over the years Connor, Ian and the rest of the Scouts would camp, study bugs, climb trees, fish and experience all of earth's wonders together. Connor sees the world as a canvas for which he can paint a better world for himself and others. His family is very close and enjoys doing all sorts of stuff that good families do; travel, camp-out, participate in sports - football/baseball/soccer/hockey, etc. They make time for family. He has a wonderful brother Garrett and a sister named Sydney. His mom and dad are "The Parents" - the kind that nurture and support without condition. They are very spiritual and genuine. I feel lucky to know all of them. Interestingly, until now I hadn't vividly known the ravages of cancer except that I might have better known my grandfather had he not passed away of lymphoma in 1963. I was 2 yrs old then (now you know my age). My grandfather, a farmer, worked hard and raised 2 sons and a daughter. On the farm he was exposed to chemicals in pesticides that are now banned from use. Because of his early departure from this world I didn't get to know him beyond that of a 2 yr. old. What I do remember is that he was a big man who'd carry me and my brother around on bales of hay and ride us on his tractor. That was over 40 years ago and...this wicked disease still hasn't been beaten!!! Fortunately, due to agencies and organizations like St. Baldrick's great strides toward defeating cancer and supporting the people who suffer from it; the patient, friends and families, are being realized. With that, now is the time to answer the calling to do my part to help fight this disease by supporting Team Connor. To show our support for Team Connor, Ian and I are both getting our heads shaved this weekend. We'd very much like to see each of you show your caring for this cause by pledging and giving what you can to help reach our goal for Team Connor. After the Big Buzz this weekend you can come back to the below website and see the new Ian and Tunney - all slick and shiny on top!! Better yet, come down to the Hibernian Pub in Cary, NC and witness the "big shave". Whatever it is, do what you can as anything is appreciated by the families and patients dealing with cancer. Think about this...this can strike anyone anytime and there's no time like now to make a difference. Donations can be made through my webpage. Before and after pictures will be posted for all to see our new "do's". http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/shavee_info.html?ShaveeID=16054 More information about St Baldrick's can be found at http://www.stbaldricks.org/about_us/index.html March 24th is only a few days away. So, don't miss out. Ian will start off with a Zoro-on-the-top and dad will be more conservative by having a "C" for Connor shaved in. Then we'll go for the finale - completely bald. Thank you so much and Go Team Connor!! God Bless, Tunney and Ian Vandevender