Thanks go to dear friends Frank and Sande for their generous contribution. When my former employer's matching funds kick in, our goal will be blown out of the water. Thanks to all for your generosity.
UPDATE 29 March
My old dive buddy Rudy bumped the number to $604!!! Thanks very much, Rudy!
Update 25 March
Thank you so much Fran and Leonard for your recent donation, which puts even more distance between the goal and donations collected!
Update 22 March
Jean, Malika, Victoria and Tom put us over the top! Thanks to all. Thanks, indeed!
As the great Dubbya famously said "Mission accomplished." The difference being that we have actually accomplished our mission today. At least, our tactical mission of $500 has been accomplished, thanks to you donors.
That doesn't mean you can't donate if you want. Paraphrasing what is often (and incorrectly) attributed to Hizzoner Mayor Richard (That's J, if you please) Daley, "Donate early, and donate often."
With that, friends, I officially wrap up this year's campaign. See you in 2015.
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Hello, friends,
Update 18 March
More classmates from a half century ago, and a former colleague joined the list of donors today and over the weekend. Kudos and thanks to Paul C., Kathy B., and Sandy H.!
I am tempted to publish my Post-St. Baldrick photo now, but I'm holding out until my goal is met. For now, only donors get to see my shiny new dome.
Update Sat. 15 March
OK. We did it. A hundred of us like-minded guys and girls got their head shaved at Old School Square last night. No big deal. No! A big deal! A $150,000 big deal! That's what the Old School Square event has raised.
You should have been there. A beautiful South Florida night. The event was well-organized by great volunteers, and coordinated with a pre-Saint Paddy's day celebration at Old School Square, with Irish music, kid's rides, and, it is said, a wee bit of beer and whiskey were to be had.
But above that, and behind all that, there was a sense of purpose. We raised tens of thousands of dollars for the kids. Well done, volunteers, shavees and MOST OF ALL, you generous, grand folks that donated!
Thanks to: "1/2 Century" Chip; The Grand Eatons; Dearest Susan; Sister Sara; (Not so) Anonymous; Queridos Frank and Sande; My dearest Silvia. Victoria and Thomas for their encouragement.
And thanks in advance to (Ms. /Mr. Fill-in-the-blank) when you donate. Your name will be up here. This ain't over until it's over. Until the fat lady (i. e. my $500 goal) sings.
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Original story (edited 15 March)
As adults, many of us have been affected by cancer. We've seen friends and family fight it; some of us have had it. Some survive; many don't.
Kid's cancers are another matter. They hit hard and they hit those who are least able to fight back.
My wife Silvia and I saw the need to help pediatric cancer research and treatment when, for years, we had to take a loved one to a pediatric hematologist/oncologist for regular, frequent checkups for a blood disorder.
Fortunately, that dear child's condition wasn't cancer, and he grew to become a strong, bright young man. But many of the other kids we saw at that clinic weren't as lucky.
That experience had a big impact on us. The doctor and nurses at St. Mary's Pediatric Hematology and Oncology in West Palm Beach were wonderful, but overworked, and the facility overcrowded. In a modest effort to help, we donated money to that clinic.
Do you want to join in the effort and make a little donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers. To get started, just hit the "Donate" button! Or call the number shown.
Go ahead, check the Foundation out, as I did. But if you do, there's a catch - when you conclude that this organization is legitimate, transparent and effective, as I did, you will go ahead and send a few dollars to them, just as a few good friends, siblings, and Silvia and I did, okay? Okay!
Thanks so much!
Brian
P. S. I will send each donor a collectible, almost ready-for-framing (i.e., you'll have to print it out first), (digitally) autographed "after" photo featuring my shiny new dome. But until I reach my $500 goal, I'm not going to post a close-up picture here or on my Facebook page. Help me reach that goal, won't you? Help the kids!
