So I had promised to tell you about why I really am going through this.. (There is the free haircut, and the pride I feel when I see my friends and family step up to the plate!) Let me introduce you to Kirsten. She is the daughter of one of my closest friends growing up in Broadview Heights. (A gentle nod to those of us that have lived in Seneca!)

I had been out of touch with Jeff for a while until about a decade ago, when the timing came together, and I found out about Eric Grossnickle’s annual Independence Day Festival. I met these 2 cute little girls, Marissa and Kirsten, and it wasn’t long before our kids hit it off. I met up with these families, and we made it a point to reconnect every year, The Grossnickles, the Collins, the Pettis and the Bagals. As it goes, with these guys, you stay with them and try to keep in touch the best you can.

One year I notice (and those who know me, know I can be pretty scattered,) that Marissa show up with no hair! (Head wrapped.) Melanie (Kirsten’s mom,) explains some of what was going on. I was stunned. I have been lucky to have three healthy kids, so I was never really exposed to what life for your child would be like if something goes wrong, that you have no control over.

I talked to Kirsten recently, and I got her permission to talk about this. (Thanks, sweetie.) Kirsten has had to fight this mess TWICE! I promised to keep some of the more gory details out, but this kid, who is now a high school senior, had a 12 pound tumor removed in 2004, and to make things even more fun, another 9 pound tumor had been discovered when she tripped at a band concert some time later. This tumor, however, tore and went into her stomach. The fluid from the tumor turned out to be malignant. The process required not only surgery, but chemotherapy.

Here is the cool thing. Kirsten is graduating high school this year. She, with the support of friends and family, and the support of the medical staff, the facilities, and the system that does not give up when kids get sick, BEAT THIS. Let’s be clear about something; Kirsten is a tough chick, she doesn’t quit without a fight. But she and her family wasn’t alone in this.

That is what your money goes to. It goes to the researchers, the medical professionals; the people that create the infrastructure that help kids like Kirsten win. They need us to keep moving forward. Let’s keep our kids in the fight and make a donation. (http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/v)

Kirsten, thank you for letting me share your story, and know that I am honored that you let me do this as a tribute to you.