St. Baldrick's Day 2014

A few years ago, I heard about one of my friends participating in this event called St. Baldrick's Day. He was raising money for childhood cancer research. In return for everyone's efforts, and in solidarity of those precious little faces, he would shave his head. I thought it was by far the most impressive fundraising technique I'd ever witnessed.

Naturally this burned in my brain. During my time in cosmetology school, I had tried to start an event for this. Sadly, it never got off the ground. I pushed the thoughts down into the "think about it later" section of my brain as my life moved on. I got busy, my jobs changed a couple times, and I had almost forgotten completely about something that had compelled me so intensely a year ago. It wasn't until this year that the desire came back. Scrolling down my Facebook feed, I saw that familiar logo draped across one of my husband's friends in the form of a cutting cape. Suddenly, I just HAD to do it.

I toyed with this idea for a few weeks. I asked my youth if any of them would be willing to participate. I was met with the same response I found in cosmetology school, "are you crazy? That's your HAIR. You'll be BALD!" Immediately I get defensive. Yes, it's hair. Yes, I'll be bald. There are two important things to remember here. One: my hair grows back, and it grows back pretty quick. Two (and most importantly): what about those little girls? Those five-year-old girls and boys who don't get the opportunity to have hair. Hair is just as important to a five-year-old as it is to someone who is twenty-one.

The other night, I got online to sign up. I wanted to set my day to shave my head so that I could commit without backing out. I wanted time to raise money. However, I found out you can't sign up for 2014 online just yet. Now, I get to play the waiting game. That's what this post is all about. This post is my commitment to myself, and to everyone who ever reads this, that I will participate next year. I'll gladly start taking any donations, even if I'm not officially signed up yet. I'm so excited to do this for these kids. I just don't want to forget again.

March 17, 2014. I'll be waiting for it! If you'd like more information on the St. Baldrick's foundation, go to http://www.stbaldricks.org.