Cancer is something that has affected almost everyone I know, including myself, in some way shape or form. As a kid, I thought of cancer as something that not many people got, and the majority of people who did get, were “old” or sick. This simply is not the case. Cancer is a disease that has many forms, and directly affects millions of people in the world today. And contrary to my childhood beliefs, anyone can get it. My first experience with cancer was when I was in elementary and middle school. Everyone in my school knew that there was a girl in our neighborhood that had cancer, but no one knew much about her. Her name was Alex Scott, you may have heard of her. At the time, all I knew was that she had cancer, and she also would sell lemonade to raise money for cancer research. Every now and then I would pass by her house, but I never had contact with her. Now, almost 10 years after her death, Alex’s Lemonade Stand is known around the country. Around the same time, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. While getting a CAT scan after a car accident, the doctor noticed a growth in her lung. The growth turned out to be cancer. After removing a lobe of her lung, and undergoing radiation therapy, doctors assumed the cancer was gone. It has been almost 8 years now, and my mom has been cancer-free. She frequently attends charities and fundraisers, and walks for cancer. Hopefully both of these stories can inspire hope in you. Don’t think that cancer is a death sentence, because it isn’t! People can recover and become stronger from it. And one person CAN make a difference. A small donation is all it takes to get the ball rolling and move us towards the cure! I've answered the call to be a hero! I'm having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these kids. Thank you! Click "Make a donation" to give online, or donate by phone or mail.