Would You Shave Your Head?

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Ever since I shaved my head three weeks ago the reaction I have gotten has been I could never shave my head. And you know what? A year ago if someone said to me, “Monica, you’re going to shave your head for childhood Cancer a year from now!” I would have laughed at them. And it’s strange because even just a year ago I did personally know someone who had been affected by childhood Cancer. Because of that little girl I have become more aware. I have made my children more aware. My family is more aware of childhood Cancer. But what changed for me?

Talia changed me. My children changed me. My loss changed me. All of these things worked together for me to say I have to do more. Talia was a 13 year old girl who inspired my own teenager in so many ways. She touched her and she scared me. She died this summer just before her 14th birthday. I always knew she was the same age as my oldest, but every time I saw a picture of her with her year of life and death I wanted to cry. 1999-2013, that could be my daughter. My oldest daughter was born in 1999. Seeing her year of birth next to the year we’re currently in still shakes me to the core.

I hate that it had to be Talia, but I’m so relieved it wasn’t my daughter. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be. It could be any one of my children. So that’s why I shaved my head. I didn’t anticipate liking it quite as much as I do. It’s very cold, but so easy to take care of. It saves me a good five minutes in the morning.

It’s growing back in nicely. My hairdresser thinks I’ll be able to style it by Christmas, but I’m not too sure about that. But none the less I know I’m truly blessed that my children are all healthy.

I’m also blown away by the generosity people have shown in their donations. You know that’s just as important, if not more so than what I did by shaving my head. It’s that money that’s really going to make a difference and save more children. Might even save your own child.

But all in all I think if push came to shove, if you were moved enough or affected closely enough I do think anyone could shave their own head. And you know it’s not the end of the world. It is hair, it does grow back and it does make a difference. It does get people thinking. It does make them wonder how far they would go for someone who has Cancer.

As we are about to say what we’re thankful for this week I want you to remember these kids who are sick. Remember that every day on average six children are diagnosed with Cancer in America. If you can, please consider making a donation to St. Baldrick’s for childhood Cancer. I am still raising money. You can still make a difference. Shave your head or not, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that we find a cure for Cancer and to do that we need money. So won’t you make a donation to help fund childhood Cancer research? Share this with others too and ask them to consider this as an act of kindness this year.