Cancer sucks. It is often vicious, always unpleasant, and also indiscriminate. 

It can bite you when you are young or old, whether you are a marathon runner or a couch potato, a smoker or a non-smoker, a vegan or a meat-eater...

...a toad or a hippopotamus, a flamingo or a kangaroo, an orangutan or a human....

Sometimes, it attacks the most innocent of all humans- children.

While I do not personally know anyone currently fighting childhood cancer, some members of my family have been affected with different kinds of cancer, fought bravely, and fortunately have been very lucky to have won their battles with it.

For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about conservation of animals and caring for our planet. I have been fortunate in life and have ended up with my dream job of working hands-on with endangered animals as a zoo veterinary technician, and I even get the opportunity to contribute to conservation directly in the "wild."

And yet, this is the cause that I feel most called to support.

Childhood cancer raises different challenges than cancers that affect adults, and donations are needed to fund research for a cure, resources for hospitals treating childhood cancer, and support for families fighting it.

It wasn't until March 9th, 2017 that I truly understood the innocence of children. My whole world now revolves around one very small person, and I am completely alright with that. I never knew how much I could love until I met my son. I would do anything to keep him safe, as I know billions of parents in the world would for their children.

I cannot imagine the terror of finding out that your child has cancer, and you aren't able to fight it for them, and suffer instead of them. 

The strength of the families, and especially the children that are affected, is incredibly inspiring.

I am shaving my head for them.

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.