I developed my very first crush at the age of 5. His name was Nick. Blonde hair, blue eyes, freckles and he could make me laugh like no one else. Shortly after meeting him, I also found out he had leukemia. But because he went into remission, and because I was just a kid, I didn't understand the severity of what that meant. In the years that followed, I remember birthday parties, I remember talking about our families and what we wanted to be when we grew up. I remember the smiles, the laughter, the teasing and the friendship. Just a few days into sixth grade, Nick was admitted to the hospital. His cancer was back. I remember sitting next to him the first day of school that year, so excited because I was still in love. I remember the feeling the day he left because he wasn't feeling well. I remember sitting in that classroom, trying to focus but struggling....because I knew he was in the hospital. I remember when he came in for our Christmas party, that he was wearing a face mask and a Santa hat. And I also remember that day when my teacher stood before us in tears and told us he was gone. The presence of Nick on my life and the loss of him 20 years ago this April has left me forever changed.

This year, after a friend's daughter Ashley was diagnosed with leukemia, it became all too real again. I have watched how life can change in an instant with one diagnosis. She's a fighter and is going to come out stronger than ever. It is amazing the brightness kids show in the midst of their battles. As a parent myself now, I realize with increasing urgency how important it is to devote time, money and research to helping kids like Nick and Ashley beat this. I want to shave my head, to raise funds, to make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer so that someday families, friends and classmates no longer need to just "remember" those few years they shared with the ones they love. I want the kids who have been diagnosed to have hope, to have long, happy lives and to have support. Help me to make this happen. I will also be donating the hair I cut to help someone else who is struggling to feel beautiful again. Although, we all know that it's not hair which makes someone beautiful.

I'm shaving my head to raise money for childhood cancer research! Did you know that kids' cancers are different from adult cancers? It's true. And childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So I decided to do something about it by raising money for cures.

Now I need your help! Will you make a donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers.