I am participating in St Baldrick's for the sixth year at Lincoln/Roosevelt School. Four years ago I had a student named Lauren Brinkman. She is one of the finest people I have ever met. Lauren struggled in math. The reason why Lauren struggled is because of the side effect that chemotherapy had on her when she was a toddler.
Shortly after Lauren's second birthday, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.).... a blood cancer. Lauren was in treatment for 2 1/2 years, consisting of a host of medicines from chemotherapy infusions and shots to antibiotics, steroids and regular spinal taps. As a toddler just learning her abc's, she also learned to deal with the fear of strangers constantly examining her, the pain of surgery and needles, and the nausea associated with the drugs. When Lauren was in sixth grade, she spoke in front of the school, telling everyone her story. I asked Lauren if she was going to have her head shave. She politely told me "No way, I lost my hair once, and that was enough."
Lauren has had emotional, physical and academic repercussions throughout the years, but has worked hard to overcome those obstacles and is now a thriving teenager who embraces her past and is loving life!
I've answered the call to be a hero! I'm having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures.
Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. 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. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these kids. Thank you!
Click "Make a donation" to give online, or donate by phone or mail.
