As many of you know, it is that time of the year where a number of my friends and I shave our heads to raise awareness and donations for the St. Baldrick's foundation.

I can only imagine how the families across the country deal with a child who has been diagnosed with cancer. As a tribute to those families, and to my two sons, Michael and John, who also benefited from a special group of neonatal doctors a number of years ago, I have decided to participate again in a fund raiser in support of the National Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Yes, this means that I, as well as several others, will have our heads shaved on St. Patrick’s Day in a show of solidarity with children suffering from cancer while at the same time raising money in support of the St. Baldrick's foundation. The foundation raises awareness and funds to cure childhood cancer by supporting cancer research and fellowships. Additional details on the foundation can be found at www.stbaldricks.org.

So, in exchange for the "pain and suffering" I will endure, as well as others who cross my path while my hair grows back, I kindly ask you to make a donation in my name and help raise money for such an important and wonderful cause.

The donation process is easy! Please log on to www.stbaldricks.org, go to the Cleveland site and select The Rocky River Brewing Company as the location. There you will see my name, John W Thompson, registered as a "shavee," and you can follow the directions on how to make an online donation with your credit card, or you can mail me a check to the address provided below. After making an online donation, you can print out a receipt for tax purposes. To make an online donation
http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/674791/2014

Last year, the Cleveland Chapter raised over $500,000 through the Cleveland event to contribute to the nationwide total of over $15,000,000. I ask you to please take this opportunity to make a donation to the St. Baldrick's fund raising effort to help children who have been stricken with this terrible disease and who need your support in their fight against cancer.

Thanks in advance for your support and consideration!