Last year, Julia, my wife, asked if I wanted to go with her to help babysit some kids so that her friends could enjoy a night out. I'd never met them before and I'd only heard about them and how one of the kids was on hospice care so she would need a babysitter to help administer medications in case of an emergency. Being a NICU nurse who has some experience working at the PICU and also being a former nurse at Hospice Hawaii, I thought it'd be nice to finally get to meet Julia's friends and do something to help give them an enjoyable night.
The minute I met the Tyrrells, I knew this family was special and I was glad I had decided to go with Julia. Their daughter, Haley, I would soon find out was the sweetest little girl. Someone who had been through so many tough experiences as a young child but who always wanted to give hugs and make silly faces. When I first met her, Haley was already at the point where she needed assistance walking. I'll never forget the moment she wanted me to hold her while we watched the Friday Waikiki fireworks show from their lanai.
Unfortunately, I only got to know Haley for a few short months. Her long fight with cancer ended and she passed away in the summer of last year. The gathering of people who in some way had been touched by Haley's hugs and smiles during the celebration of her life was impressive.
Julia and I consider the Tyrrells to be dear friends and this year I decided to be more proactive in joining them in their fight against pediatric cancer. Haley has a really cool brother, Zachary, and he and his parents put together this team to help raise money to continue the fight.
Therefore, 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.
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.
