Moved

In four more days, I will be surrounded by bald heads. In fact, many of you reading this will be surrounded by bald heads. In addition to the 160 registered participants at my event this Sunday (you read that right: 160 participants!), another 114 students will shave at University School on Friday (and yes, as of this moment in time, we ARE beating them in the fundraising department), plus 56 people at Rainbow on Friday morning, 180 in Rocky River on Saturday and 70 more at A. J.Rocco’s on Monday. So we should ALL be surrounded by bald heads by this time next week.

What an extraordinary year this is turning out to be. I am completely blown away by the enthusiasm and generosity of spirit that this has generated in our community. We have four elementary teams from the Cleveland Heights-University Heights district, plus Roxboro Middle School and two teams at Heights High, in addition to four elementary teams from Shaker, one from Lakewood and another 24-member strong team from Gesu School in University Heights. Imagine what those school hallways will look like on Monday as those brave children walk proudly to their classes.

Oh, and have I mentioned the money we’ve raised? We are now over $70,000 and I think I need to up our current goal of $75,000 yet again. We have blown past every expectation I’ve had for what this year could become. More people, more schools, more money. I am so thrilled (and a little nervous about how the whole thing will roll out on Sunday), but mostly I am moved.

I am moved by the number of young children stepping forward to stand in solidarity with those in treatment. I am moved by the number of girls and women (19 in all!) who are loudly proclaiming that how they look does not define how beautiful they are. I am moved by the number of teachers sitting side by side with their students as live out this lesson in generosity. I am moved by the mothers and fathers and sister and brothers and friends of survivors and those currently in the fight who are saying, “You don’t have to go this alone. I am right here with you all the way.” I am moved and deeply saddened as I read through the donations on my participants’ pages and see how many people give “in memory” of someone who is no longer.

We have lost too many people already. All of us have: parents and grandparents, siblings, friends and spouses, and — saddest of all — children. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can do better. The grants that St Baldrick’s awards to doctors and researchers truly do better; they are making a difference. And so are all of you, by shaving, by cutting, by volunteering, by raising money and by giving money. We are doing better.