I've answered the call to be a hero!
My son Aaron Thompson has been a shavee for years and has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research. I've always admired his enthusiasm and commitment to this event. I've never participated in the event until this year, however this year is very different and far more personal than years past. This year my son was diagnosed with CANCER!
Aaron was diagnosed about one week prior to Christmas 2012 with (Burkitt's) non-hodgkin's lymphoma. I can't fully express what it feels like to hear such a diagnosis for your own son. It's the kind of news that brings you to your knees. It's the kind of news that makes you ask how could this happen to someone just starting out their life? It's the kind of news that makes you ask "why my son and why couldn't it have been me?
Aaron's is in treatment right now and his prognosis is good. Our hopes are that he will look back on this event years from now as a distant memory, however right now the disease is very real and present. Aaron is planning on attending this years Saint Baldrick's event at Amalfi's however, there is a possibility he might not be able to participate or even be present. Aaron is still undergoing chemo which requires hospital stays for up to a week at a time with 2- 3 weeks at home in order to recover. If Aaron can not be present or if he doesn't have hair to shave I've promised that I would gladly take his place. Based on the look of his head right now he definitely meets one of those requirements.
Thank you for your support of all children with cancer.
Hope to see you at Amalfi's on March 16th.
Sincerely,Greg Thompson
To read my son's story scroll down to "Kids Honored" and click on Aaron T.