It's Baldricks time! Hopefully by this point you all know the drill, but for those of you who are unfamiliar, here's the deal. For years it's been a tradition for my Ultimate Frisbee team to participate in St. Baldricks day, an annual fundraiser where we raise funds for childhood cancer research by shaving our heads in honor for those children fighting cancer. Last year, the tradition took on a whole new meaning for both myself and for my teammates as I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma last January. What was once a fun tradition to help spread awareness and raise funds for childhood cancer hit home in a whole new way. The Loyola Ultimate teams, already a strong participant in the yearly event, raised the most money of any organization participating in Loyola's St. Baldricks Day in 2011. It's almost impossible to put into words just how much it meant to me as someone effected by cancer that all my friends shaved their heads and raised a ton of money for childhood cancer. What sometimes seems like a drop in the bucket for "cancer research" became an incredibly powerful form of personal support. Every single dollar that has been poured into cancer research over the past 25 or so years through organizations like St. Baldricks has lead to research that has saved my life. I couldn't be more proud or excited to continue the legacy of that research and give hope to children faced with cancer in the future. Last year I was bald from chemo, this year I'm back and shaving my head by choice to raise money and stand in solidarity with all those kids who don't choose to be bald right now. I know this message struck a personal and somewhat serious tone, but let's not forget just how much fun this is going to be! Thank you all so much for your continued support, let's make this year the biggest and baddest St. Baldricks yet! Matt Gesner Loyola Ultimate