What do Timber Joey, Heidi White, Andrew Brawley and over 20 other folks have in common, besides their love for the Timbers? They're all participating in a St. Baldrick's event, shaving their heads at Oaks Park on May 19th to raise money for research into cures for childhood cancer. If you'd like to help out by donating to the cause, here's the link to the St. Baldrick's Page.
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. Last year, participants raised over $28 million, working to fund childhood cancer research.
I asked TA to share why they were participating. Here are a few responses:
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"I signed up because it's very rare that something so simple (shaving my head) can make such a positive impact (contribute to a worthy cause like this one). The amount of time it took for me to consider participating was next to nil. The sign-up process was easy, and within minutes of emailing / Facebooking / Tweeting for donations, I had over $100 contributed to the cause. It really was that simple.
"I don't have a history of cancer in my family, but like probably everyone else in the world, I know more than enough people who do. Until the number of those affected by cancer becomes zero, we should do everything we can to help out." (Andrew Brawley)
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"Unfortunately I'm no stranger to cancer or children's cancer. One of cousin's passed away when I was a Freshman or Sophomore in high school. My Senior year a very close friend's younger brother passed away from cancer, he was only 14, I'd known them for most of my life, it was shocking. A few years back, a co-work had cancer and I shaved my head so she wouldn't be the baldest person in the office. Now I plan to shave my head, even though my hair is looking pretty awesome, to help raise money to fight back against cancer; I plan on giving Cancer the Bald Card, please help me in this effort." (Dougal Cullen)
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"My name is Michelle. This year, for me, has been the year of doing all the things I've always said I'd do. It's been going well and is my best year on Earth yet! I am excited that one of those things will be happening on May 19th when I shave my head with St. Baldrick's for the children. Cancer has affected many people in my life. I lost my father three years ago to it. I have many dear friends who are battling it now. Cancer is the ugliest thing I can imagine. It is an oppressor of the worst sort, and though it breaks my heart in any case, it is especially offensive when it affects children. I am just one person. One who is like so many others, who have been on this side of cancer looking in and feeling helpless while watching friends, family, & children struggle with the beast. I'm tired of not being of any help. I'm frustrated, too. When I saw that the Timbers were having a team for the event, I knew everything was aligning for THIS to be the time I can step up and Do something. I signed up immediately, consequences be damned. Later, I checked with work and was told I wouldn't be fired,(Whew!). I currently have over twenty inches of long auburn hair, and after researching a bit I've now hooked up with Locks of Love who makes hairpieces for children fighting cancer. The hair will be donated to them. I have been ferociously promoting the event while looking for sponsors, excited with every bit of support I've received! I've even convinced a friend to join the team as well! I am overjoyed to be teaming with St. Baldrick's, Locks of Love, and the Portland Timbers to do my part in the fight against childhood cancer. I'm probably only going to be shaving my head once in this lifetime... I'm going to make it count!!!" (Michelle Mendenhall)
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"I'm taking part in St Baldrick's because I've been there. Completley bald. Eyebrows almost gone. Eye lashes almost gone. For months. Compared to that shaving my head is EASY. If I can do something that simple and raise money so that a child never has to go through what I did, I'm going to do it, becasue I've been there." (Tim Chamberlin)
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You can take part right now. Register to be a shavee yourself, or donate to individuals on the St. Baldrick's Tage. Let's step up, fight childhood cancer, and support these brave and soon-to-be-bald souls in the process. Together we can make a real difference.
