This may seem a bit strange, and may come as a shock to most/all of you, however, I ask that you read my story to better, maybe not fully, but to maybe see more clearly why I will be shaving my head come March.
This is something I've wanted to do since....well, I think my freshman year in high school. But, one "requirement" I've set was that if I shave my head, I would want to donate my hair.
Last summer (summer 2011,) two of my dearest friends shaved their heads together. I was kind of...jealous, and it REALLY motivated me to want to do it. One of the gals said that her hair was shorter than mine and her hair was 'donatable.' Thus, I thought about it and prayed over it, and I am more sure than ever that I want to do it.
I am doing this for [now] three reasons, though it started out as one. Here are the reasons - in order:
Life-long family friend:
Back in April 2011 - last year - I lost a very important person in my life, someone I've known all my life and has played a HUGE role in my growing up and upbringing. My whole family knew him. He lost his near three-year battle to lung cancer when the doctors only thought he had six months to live. I am doing it primarily in memory of him, for, it will be [roughly] one month shy of the one-year mark since he passed away.
Second:
Another dear person in my life, not super close, but still someone I care very dearly about, was diagnosed with breast cancer during the Christmas holiday season. Though she is okay, and though there is now no sign of a tumor or anything - thanks to the modern medical advancement of surgery and radiation - she has overcome, but I still feel it would almost be a dishonour to not recognize her and be able to proudly say that I am doing it in support of her. I am PROUD to say that I am doing it in support for her and the battle she has fought thus far in hopes that she will never have to have yet another battle.
Thirdly:
I did not know her, really at all, but a good friend of mine here at uni told me about this gal who was struggling with some form of cancer - what it is I cannot remember, but it is not important to me "what" it was, simply that it was that nasty, life-sucking, energy-draining, cell-killing disease that takes so many forms. In any case, my friend first approached me (around March 2011) and asked for prayer for this gal, whose name was Faith - a bit ironic, or so we both thought. I 'followed' and journeyed some together with Faith and her family, alongside my friend who was seemingly really close with the family. Sadly, around August time, I got the text (and I still think I have it somewhere):
"Little Faith got her angel wings this morning at 5:10. I only now just could see the keyboard to tell you." - It was, if memory serves me correct, in the afternoon.
So....I am doing it, some, in memory of her.
Lastly:
I am doing this purely for the cause itself. I'm having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures.
Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these kids. Thank you! Click "Make a donation" to give online, or donate by phone or mail.
(link): http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/participantid/508550
This is something I've wanted to do since....well, I think my freshman year in high school. But, one "requirement" I've set was that if I shave my head, I would want to donate my hair.
Last summer (summer 2011,) two of my dearest friends shaved their heads together. I was kind of...jealous, and it REALLY motivated me to want to do it. One of the gals said that her hair was shorter than mine and her hair was 'donatable.' Thus, I thought about it and prayed over it, and I am more sure than ever that I want to do it.
I am doing this for [now] three reasons, though it started out as one. Here are the reasons - in order:
Life-long family friend:
Back in April 2011 - last year - I lost a very important person in my life, someone I've known all my life and has played a HUGE role in my growing up and upbringing. My whole family knew him. He lost his near three-year battle to lung cancer when the doctors only thought he had six months to live. I am doing it primarily in memory of him, for, it will be [roughly] one month shy of the one-year mark since he passed away.
Second:
Another dear person in my life, not super close, but still someone I care very dearly about, was diagnosed with breast cancer during the Christmas holiday season. Though she is okay, and though there is now no sign of a tumor or anything - thanks to the modern medical advancement of surgery and radiation - she has overcome, but I still feel it would almost be a dishonour to not recognize her and be able to proudly say that I am doing it in support of her. I am PROUD to say that I am doing it in support for her and the battle she has fought thus far in hopes that she will never have to have yet another battle.
Thirdly:
I did not know her, really at all, but a good friend of mine here at uni told me about this gal who was struggling with some form of cancer - what it is I cannot remember, but it is not important to me "what" it was, simply that it was that nasty, life-sucking, energy-draining, cell-killing disease that takes so many forms. In any case, my friend first approached me (around March 2011) and asked for prayer for this gal, whose name was Faith - a bit ironic, or so we both thought. I 'followed' and journeyed some together with Faith and her family, alongside my friend who was seemingly really close with the family. Sadly, around August time, I got the text (and I still think I have it somewhere):
"Little Faith got her angel wings this morning at 5:10. I only now just could see the keyboard to tell you." - It was, if memory serves me correct, in the afternoon.
So....I am doing it, some, in memory of her.
Lastly:
I am doing this purely for the cause itself. I'm having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures.
Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these kids. Thank you! Click "Make a donation" to give online, or donate by phone or mail.
(link): http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/participantid/508550
By the way: my goal is $1,000.00
While that seems like a lot, this is my approach.
If I ask "everyone" I know to donate but $1 (minimum,) and then EACH person ask "everyone" they know to donate $1 (minimum), my goal is but a breeze to achieve. Please help me by meeting and exceeding this goal to bless, help, and support others!
Thank you!
*Note: The event will take place on the 15 March (dead week for me) and the time is TBA. Got a call about confirming the event, and they said they aren't sure if it will be at 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon. Will try to remember to post as I more information is made known. But...yeah. This is a new and exciting endeavour. I am excited to see what God will do in me through this experience and how He will use me because of it. :)
