St. Baldrick's on Saturday--Let's Raise some Money for Childhood Cancer Research!

Unalaska really knows how to get behind a good cause! A couple of months ago, the firefighters and EMS folks started to plan the first ever local St. Baldrick's head shaving event to raise money for childhood cancer research. I had never even heard of St. Baldrick's but I was in Houston with Bonnie and Emery when the initial email arrived in my inbox, telling me about the foundation and its work. By the time I got back home, every time I turned around I heard about someone else who was shaving his head. I say "his" because everyone I heard about at that time was male. :) However, as the event has gathered steam and more and more participants who come from all walks of life, we now also have at least four females shaving their heads. (No, I am not one of them--sorry if you were hoping to see a photo of that!)

Soon our friend Steve asked me if he could sponsor Emery for his head-shaving. What a kindhearted guy he is! After getting Bonnie's okay, "Team Emery" was born and Steve has continued to go all-out raising funds! The whole event has taken on a life of its own and a carnival-like atmosphere, with many of the participants dying their hair in wild colors and getting into a bit of good natured rivalry. Click on Steve's blog here to see the latest info and some funny head shots.

My friend Judi has also taken the plunge--I think she was first just going to cut her hair for "Locks of Love" but now she is going all-in and shaving her head as well! Now that's a brave woman. One of my teenaged friends, James, just told me he is shaving his head, too. Way to go, James! If I look at the list of "shavees," I either know them or know who they are--I love that about small town life!

Saturday is the big day, with the event starting at 1 PM at the Burma Road Chapel. Our own Channel 8 will be televising the head-shaving live starting at 1:30 PM. If you're local, come on over and join in the fun. Rich and I will be there taking photos to document the craziness.

You can look here for the list of all the Unalaska shavees and make a donation to any of them. I am partial to Team Emery (and Steve is giving away some Alaska crab to a lucky winner!), but the money all goes to the same place so pick anyone that you want (or more than one!) and help us do away with childhood cancer. A donation of any size is appreciated greatly. If you are leery of online donations, you may send a check or call in to the live show on Saturday at 907-581-1888 and make a pledge. We'd love to hear from you!

Our family has been affected by cancer several times, including my dad's death at the very young age of 42 from lung cancer. (Hard to believe that all of his children are older now than he ever got to be!) Although I had heard of children with cancer in the past, it had never touched our lives closely till Emery's diagnosis smacked us upside the head and led us down a completely unfamiliar path. We are grateful that she has done so well and we have every confidence that she has a happy and healthy life ahead of her. Unfortunately, this is not the case for every child with cancer. Additional funds for research will help more and more of these little sweeties to survive and thrive.

Thank you!