Hi Friends! Nothing says crazy like 2 weeks to raise $2k - or more!! But I think I have just the network of friends and family to pull this off. My mom works at Children's Hospital Oakland, and has since I was a child, making the hospital, its doctors, research staff, and patients something near and dear to my heart. I volunteered in the art department and went on to work as a research coordinator in Hematology/Oncology for a short while. During this time I met Crystal, my then office mate and now good friend, and her daughter Ariel. Crystal is an Oncology Research Coordinator, which essentially means she deals with the families of children with cancer. She fights for their children to get on drug trials and studies that may save their lives. She holds their hands, holds her breath with theirs, and helps them navigate the medical system with a wealth of knowledge and spirit that I admire every day. She is also the lead organizer of this event and Ariel's (and Ian and Elora's) mother. Ariel - an avid Giant's fan, pet lover, joker, and old old soul - was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (a rare muscle cancer) in 2007, and after a grueling year of treatment, emerged disease free. She went on to keep up with her twin sister, Elora, in their love of Harry Potter and Pixar movies, sass her mother and doctors in such creative, intelligent (and FUNNY) ways it could render any adult speechless (and in stitches), and act as the voice of St Baldrick's by her mother's side, advocating for kids with cancer everywhere. In 2011 Ariel's family discovered her disease had reappeared and despite a valiant fight Ariel lost her battle in December of 2012. This is a girl that, when her disease was at its worst, got all of the nurses in her room to break out in an impromptu dance party. I am volunteering for the St Baldrick's Foundation Fundraiser at Childen's Hospital Oakland on March 30th. With head-shaving and other fundraising events, 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. We are trying to reach Ariel's goal of raising $250,000 at this event! Please reach deep into your heart and pockets and donate whatever you can. And please feel free to forward this message shamelessly. Thank you and lots of love!! *m