Two years ago I decided to do something many would call totally crazy. Shave my head. No, I didn't have some bizarre Hollywood starlet meltdown. I decided I wanted to be an active participant in the fight to eliminate childhood cancer.
I've become increasingly passionate about this cause in recent years. When I met my husband Justin in 2011, he introduced to a magical place known as Camp Okizu. The mission of Okizu is to provide peer support, respite, mentoring, and recreational programs to meet the needs of all members of families affected by childhood cancer.
I also became an aunt to some pretty wonderful little humans. Jameson, Andrew, Jeffrey, Holly, Devin and Benson light up my life and I just couldn't imagine a world in which they were diagnosed with a childhood cancer.
Lastly, Justin and I want to have a family. And for the same reasons I don't want my niece and nephews to suffer, I want a world in which my children don't have to suffer, either themselves or watching their childhood friends and family go through such terrible struggle.
In 2014 I was overwhelmed with the generosity of my community, near and far. Friends and family opened their hearts and wallets, total strangers donated, and I met and made many new people and friends in the process. Because of that generosity, I raised over $13,000. And since we were so successful together two years ago, I'm back and hope to kick some serious cancer butt with a new fundraising goal of $16,000. Wow, I just realized how insane that is!
So now I'm here, updating my fundraising page and getting excited, and nervous and emotional as I begin this next challenge. Trying to put into words how awesome this cause is, how it probably changed my life as much if not more than those I hope to help, is trying to say the least. As a woman, I think shaving my head is probably a bit more dramatic than when men do it. But do you know what is even crazier? Watching 16 year old young lady go bald for their friends and family. Talk about some serious GUTS! Or a seven year old little boy shaving for his sibling currently undergoing treatment. SOB! Dang, I pale in comparison. But heck if I'm not going to join them!
Young or old, man or woman, this is something I'd actually wish on every person I know. Yeah, the money for the research is critically important, but so was walking a metaphorical mile in a child with cancer's life. I experienced first-hand the concerned looks from strangers on the sidewalk as I walked passed. Or the sympathetic glances while I was eating out or going to the movies. I could tell people felt scared or unsure what to say to me. I could tell, they, just as I have in the past, prayed that wouldn't be them or someone they loved. And I took every opportunity that provided me to start a dialogue with people. To tell them I was fine, but that every 3 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer. That childhood cancer is different than adult cancers. That the effects of childhood cancer last a lifetime for survivors. And that of course, without more life save research, children won't always make it.
So here comes my pitch. Will you make a donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers. Big or small, it all helps and I'm so thankful in advance for anything you can contribute.
Or, join my team, shave your head, become a fundraising machine yourself, and get to be a part of something so much bigger than you can ever anticipate.
One last thought. It took be 30 minutes to write this... that is 10 more children diagnosed with cancer. JOIN ME.
Much love,
Kiana
