Brendan and I will be shaving our heads because we want to do what we can to spare families the pain of losing a child to cancer.

Here's some background for folks that don't know our story. 

First, Regina and I have been blessed. Our four kids are healthy and well, and we never take that for granted, because we've seen parents suffer from the loss of a child to cancer. Brendan and I honor the memories of two children each year.

We started in 2013, in honor of Regina's oldest sister. Meg died well before Regina was born, but she and her siblings saw their parents shoulder the burden of that loss throughout the remainder of their lives. Meg's picture never left a primary place on the wall of the family home, it came with Helen to our home, and her spirit lives on in her siblings. 

When my mother-in-law passed away last year, some solace on that sad day could be found in the faith that she was back with her husband, and they were together again with their child.

It means more this year to partner with my son to honor his aunt.

In 2016, Jenn and Luke Edson allowed us the honor of honoring their son, Oliver. It's one we don't take lightly, and we do so with pride.

So why does a a bald middle-aged man team with his hirsute son choose to raise money this way? Because incredible scientists work tirelessly to find cures to these diseases. We believe that resources help the research process, and St. Baldrick's uses its resources to fund life-changing research. 

To think how far things have come since we first did this in 2013 is inspiring. To think how far cancer treatment has come in the course of my life is jaw-dropping.

So we ask for your support this year so that we can look back in another 10, or 50, years and not just celebrate progress, but instead, revel in cures.