Fun fact: this will not be my first time "going bald."

 In 2006 when I was just 10 years old I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Childhood cancer hit me hard emotionally, being away from my friends and family for months on end and everyone’s eyes following me because they “knew." But it hit me physically twice as hard. I remember standing in front of the mirror pulling my already fallen hair out by the chunks. I remember puking until there was nothing left to puke. My body didn't even care that it had already expunged all of my stomach acid, I would still be sitting over the toilet gaging for hours. I remember feeling like someone drained all the energy out of me. I remember being in so much pain from some of the chemo that they had to wheel me around in a desk chair to get me from place to place at school. I remember the smell of the chemo as it was being pumped into my veins -- it is an indescribable smell -- and how almost immediately I would develop a headache. Needless to say, it was a lot for a child to go through, and the lack of hair was honestly the least of my trials.

That perception changed when my dad, Windom Kimsey decided to shave his hair with St. Baldrick's just 6 months after my diagnosis. Since March 2007, my dad has "gone bald" in my honor. Year after year more people would join him -- close friends, family, and co-workers. The number of people grew to the point of the Bald By Design team creation, which has raised over $715,100 over the last 8 years. It meant the world to me as a child seeing my father and all of these people "going bald" for me and a good cause. It turned something terrible into something amazing.

Now that I am older (23 now!) and have been cancer free for 13 years, I thought it was my time to throw my hat into the shaving ring. I would like to give back to all those who have given to me and show my deepest gratitude because, I am proof, a head shave really makes a difference. I would like to show kids going through cancer now, that they are not alone and when they grow up, they can go on to make a change as well. And maybe one day, if this cycle continues, children going through cancer will be a non-issue because all of the money we've raised for research will have eradicated cancer all together.

So, join the fight for a cure with me and donate! Because I'm "going bald" AGAIN!