All my life I asked my mom for a sister. She never granted my wish. However, in the summer of 2000 the universe answered my prayers and brought Beth McDowell into my life. I have loved Beth like my sister and probably a little more because I never had to share hair brushes or hear things about how much better my “sister” was at soccer or the piano or anything like that 

On April 12, 2010, a little less than 10 months after my first son was born, Beth was blessed with her beautiful daughter Mia McDowell (I might have been an inspiration to that pregnancy!). Mia is a dear friend to Noel – they love swimming and eating snow cones and macaroni & cheese together.

In August of 2011 her doctors discovered a tumor in Mia’s abdomen and Mia was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer. She began treatment within a week and has been fighting like a Warrior since. Mia is so tough and every day of her life with or without cancer is a blessing. I won’t even begin to try to explain all of the procedures she has had to go through, but I will say that she is a shining example of what faith and good medicine can do (here is a link to Mia's caring bridge if you'd like to see - www.caringbridge.org/visit/miamcdowell).

Noel looks forward to more time with Mia in the near future when she receives the “cancer free” and okay to play with germ factory children again. Hopefully it will be before her second birthday!!!

I will be shaving my head in honor of Mia who I love like a niece and in honor of my friends Beth, Charlie and Max. No mother, father or sibling should have to witness the pain and fear that is associated with any form of cancer and the treatment required to rid your body of it. I cannot do anything to ease their struggle except for love and pray for them. And this is the first opportunity I’ve been able to do anything tangible. So, feel free to come out and watch me buzz of my hair to raise money for research. Money does not buy happiness, but it certainly can pay for groundbreaking treatment that can minimize the burden on families.

And yes I am vain - if anyone has a wig or pretty scarf they’d like to donate I’m happy to accept those as well. We haven’t seen my bald head since I was a baby so who knows what shape it is in!!! Thanks to everyone for any and all support.