The first time I heard about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation was in 2009, when I watched and photographed two Soldiers having their heads publicly shaved at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The research I’ve done since then has always shown what an outstanding organization this is. Although I’m not brave enough to shave my head like Jessie, I can at least donate. I challenge you to read Jessie’s story and pledge, and then think about what you can do to help in the fight against childhood cancer.- Elisebet
From Jessie:
In 2012, I made the crazy decision to shave my head! While bad hair days had been known to drive me crazy, that isn’t why I decided to go bald. I went bald for a wonderful cause! I shaved my head to raise money for The St. Baldrick’s Foundation. It was such a great experience that I’m shaving my head again on March 15th, 2014! My goal is to raise $2000 to help conquer kid’s cancer, and I hope you can help!
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation exists to help bridge the funding gap in childhood cancer research. Did you know that all types of childhood cancer receive only 4% of US federal funding for cancer research? That makes St. Baldrick’s the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants! Worldwide 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Luckily, St. Baldrick’s is funding ground breaking clinical trials to improve childhood cancer treatment and fighting to find a cure. Shaving my head to raise funds for childhood cancer research is an honor!
You see, I’m a mom to 6 wonderful kids. We have been fortunate that our children are for the most part healthy kids. Not all parents can say the same thing. There are too many parents rocking their children in hospitals instead of their homes. There are too many kids that are sick instead of playing outside and enjoying normal activities. Most of all, there are too many children that have been lost to childhood cancer. What if the money we raised helped to save a life, or two, or twenty lives? What if the children that are fighting cancer all survived to do amazing things? Those children may grow be up to be parents themselves, or they may be the next great artist, or maybe they will even find the cure for cancer themselves. The children that fight motivate me, and I hope they will motivate you!
It is my honor to shave my head in support of all children with cancer. Please join me and be a hero for kids! You can donate online, and you can keep your hair! Thank you so much!
About the Author:
Jessie Voiers is the laughing lady behind the blog Then I Laughed. Jessie has six children, 1 adopted at birth and 5 bonus children gifted to her upon marriage. When she isn’t chasing kids around, she loves to blog, go to the bathroom by herself, and find any bargain imaginable. She will soon be bald, so should have some extra free time that used to be taken up by styling her hair.
32 Comments
That is so awesome of you to be raising funds to help out. You are very motivating!
Gutsy Gal shaving her head for a great cause!
It’s amazing how caring you are and for such a wonderful cause. I have some friends who have done the same thing and they say that it’s one of the best decisions that they ever made.
WOW! What an amazing and selfless act! Her bravery is inspiring – so many of us are defined by our hair (myself included). It’s great to see someone giving up hers to help others.
Woooow you have done a great job!!! You have a very kind heart.
Recently one of my assistants was diagnosed with Last stage cancer. Being only 21 years old, her life has completely changed. I feel so bad for her. I am also planning to shave my head next month.
That was so thoughtful of you. For most women hair is one of their most precious assets. I for one could not imagine myself without it, even for a great cause. Then again, if it’s for someone I love I’d give it all in a blink so I guess that’s the case with you.
It is such a great thing you did.. I know a bunch of people who have done that..
I’ve never seen bald as ugly. What a wonderful way to help!
OMG you are SO brave! I don’t know that I could ever do that! Thanks so much for sharing! so inspirational!
Thank you for helping our children with cancer!
very awe-inspiring thing – awesome!
Such and awesome, awesome cause and brave thing you did!
Wow, what a difference your hair makes when it is not shaved. I like that idea and really happy to see her helping a great cause. Way to go!
You are amazing!! I don’t know that I could shave my head for a good cause, so I am in awe of your strength and bravery!
Beautiful! Love this!
A most excellent perspective, and you could be absolutely right. no one knows another’s future, it’s worth it to help contribute to the well being of every single person that we can. High five to you!
This is really great. I admire you for doing what you are able to with the community
Such a beautiful thing! I was in tears when our youngest son decided to chop off his beautiful curls to raise money or his little friend Bella last summer when she was diagnosed with A.L.L. It was so sweet to see a 5 year old want to do anything he could to help his friend. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope it inspires so much of that same beauty in others.
What a great cause. How awesome of you to do that. I would definitely shave my head for such a worthy cause.
Thank you so much for sharing my guest post! I am so hopeful that this year I will meet my goal. Most of all I’m so thrilled that more and more people are hearing about St. Baldrick’s!
You are a true angel. I am so glad you are brave enough to do this to raise money for childhood cancer. I hope you meet your goal.
It is always a privilege to meet selfless people like this. It truly warms my heart to hear about people helping especially sick children 🙂
Oh this is awesome, I LOVE St. Baldricks!! My son grew his hair REALLY long for over a year just to get it shaved at school for St. Baldricks. They do it every year.
First time I hear about St Baldrick. But what an incredible thing to do. And so brave. Wishing you all the best!
YOU ARE AMAZING & FOR A GREAT CAUSE!!!! XOXO 🙂
what an honorable thing to do. i didn’t know they did so much in reserach for i didn’t know they did so much for childhood cancer.
I’m not courageous enough to shave my head, but I’m giving you a high five for doing it! You need a shirt that tells why…
This is such a wonderful organization and you are a very brave woman to shave your head! I think any funds towards cancer research is an amazing thing!
Wow I am so impressed with Jessie, I too couldn’t do it, but I applaud anyone who is selfless enough to do things to show support for amazing causes!
That is great. Thanks for sharing that!
ahem… I can say that I have six kids, because I do lol! 🙂 But for real, I admire you for doing this for such a great cause!
THis post made me cry. What a wonderful woman you are to do this. I can’t say I would be as brave as you were. You have a tender heart and I really enjoyed reading about this organization.