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. In response to an email I received asking why I would choose shaving my head instead of another way to help the cause, this is what I said: "The bald heads of St. Baldrick's shavees are a bold and powerful symbol of support for kids who lose their hair during cancer treatment." I know there are other ways to support this cause, but the thing is my hair will grow back and some kids' won't. I don't want to separate myself anymore from the girls who are losing their hair; I want to know what they feel and I want them to know they are not alone. Hair has almost always symbolized beauty, especially for women. In a lot of cultures, women don't cut their hair because it is a symbol of grace and elegance. For any woman, losing her hair is devastating, especially when it is not voluntary. My biggest concern is that, with the loss of my own hair, I won't be beautiful anymore. But I don't want to be defined by something as trivial as hair. I want to show the world that there are other ways to be beautiful. One of the things the girl at the Newman Center said was that it was a very humbling experience and made her less vain. I don't want to be concerned with my appearance anymore and I don't want it to define me. I want to have the confidence to proudly hold my head up and take on the world, no matter what. I don't want to worry what people are thinking about me or if I'm doing the right thing. This is as much for me as it is for other people. This is something I want to experience. I know it'll be a big shock and a big adjustment, but I'm not afraid.