Bald is Beautiful (Especially for St. Baldrick’s)

Right around this time last year, I had a brilliant idea.  I knew that I was going to have to shave my head before long and the thought of having my husband do it for me in my bathroom just depressed me.   My husband loved my long locks and it was hard enough on him when I had donated my hair in the past, but now to think he would be shaving me bald would send him over the edge. My new philosophy, after being diagnosed, was to choose joy whenever possible.  Like the saying goes, when God gives you lemons, make lemonade (just didn’t realize mine would be pink!).  This is when my brilliant idea came into play.  I was going to shave my head in honor of kids with cancer! Not only would my husband not have to shave me, but my friends could come cheer me on, I would be able to raise money for a great cause; it would be a party. I found joy and fun in losing my hair! I realized I didn’t have a lot of time before my hair would start to fall out. I quickly found a St.Baldrick’s team shaving the Friday before St. Patrick’s Day downtown Chicago. (St. Baldrick’s charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government.) That was just around the time my hair would be falling out anyway.  Perfect!  I had about 3 weeks to start spreading the news to raise $2,000.  This was the blurb that I wrote on my Facebook wall as well as my Lotsa Helping Hands page . “Raise your hand if you think CANCER SUCKS!!! Now lower your hand into your wallet and help me raise money to find a cure for cancer! I’m having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with KIDS fighting cancer. Every dollar counts – just give up your morning coffee from Starbucks, pass up those new shoes (you already have enough in your closet), or empty your kids piggy bank!! Do whatever it takes!!! Thanks for supporting me in more ways than you will ever know!!” Next, I then asked if anyone knew of a child, with cancer, that I could honor.  The number of people who contacted me with children, of all ages, who were recently diagnosed to those who have been battling with it for years, broke my heart.  I then knew I made the right decision to shave my head with St. Baldrick’s. I met my goal of $2,000 within the last week of fundraising.  I then posted on Facebook that I wanted to raise another $500 before I shaved my head that night.  You have to love social media because my friends reposted, their friends reposted and the next thing I had $2,500! The joy this brought me helped calm my nerves. My husband’s best friend and wife flew in town for the event and we all headed down together – kids and all.  When I got there, I was overwhelmed by the number of friends who came to cheer me on, but what made me cry was when one of my friends told me that my $2,500 had now turned to $5,500!! In a matter of hours, people donated an additional $3,000. I raise $5,500 for St. Baldrick’s vs. crying in my bathroom while my husband shaved my head. That wasn’t even the best part.  It was when I came down off the stage to my daughter’s friend, who I was honoring, and she gave me a huge hug and said, “Thank you.  You look just like me now!” I realize that this isn’t for everyone, but if you had a chance to make “pink lemonade”, I highly recommend checking out St. Baldrick’s. And remember, bald is beautiful!