Hi my name is Jeremy and I’m hoping you can help make a donation to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to benefit pediatric cancer research. My dad has been a breast cancer researcher for almost 30 years now and growing up seeing the dedication and passion he and so many other researchers put in to help piece together cancer is constantly inspiring me. Progress continues to be made every day thanks to the great generosity of individuals like you! But with recent cuts in funding for many national scientific research programs and the turbulent political climate, I believe researchers need our support now more than ever.
Cancer is such a cruel, unjust disease that can render so many people voiceless and powerless. As kids, many of us are just hoping to fit in and be liked by our peers. But having cancer can in many ways make you an outsider and you are forced to face something few other children can comprehend. As many of you might already know, I was born with many severe allergies that have limited my participation and interactions ubiquitously to this day. For example, attending birthday parties were an impossibility growing up and traveling and going out with friends was just a navigational nightmare. While my allergies may not even be remotely comparable to the physical and emotional burdens these children go through, I feel a connection to that lingering shroud of isolation and silent acceptance of how hard it can be for anyone to truly understand what you are experiencing.
On April 18 at UIC College of Medicine St. Baldrick’s fundraiser, I will be shaving my head for the first time to show solidarity with these young, courageous pediatric cancer patients, many of whom go on to lose their hair due to front line chemotherapy agents. I want to let these children know that they do have someone there for them that genuinely wants to listen to their story and help positively impact their lives. Fighting cancer is a massive struggle and I hope that every child experiencing cancer can receive the necessary support and compassion in their lives to overcome it. I’d be so grateful if you could donate any amount and join me in supporting research to help make a better life for current and future children with pediatric cancers!
Thank you!
