Filling the void...

I live a life that has been blessed by the grace of some being that I believe is greater than myself. I am fortunate to have been surrounded by wonderful people and great opportunities. I live in a world where anything is possible. The near perfection of my life and all that it encompasses is almost overwhelming at times. I have a beautiful, healthy daughter, a few good jobs, a supportive network of family and friends and the opportunity to obtain higher education. Lately however, I have felt as if something was lacking.

I felt as if there was a void that I needed to fill. Some desire that was not being met. Something outside of my daily activities. Something that would leave me feeling better about my contributions to society. I knew that void was one that once filled with my service to my community.


In high school I volunteered in several organizations doing anything from leading handicap children on horseback to organizing a blood drive to being a camp counselor for a week. Over 700 hours in all.

Since then I have slacked. "Life Happened"- as they say; really I just chose to prioritize things that I felt were more important at the time.

In late February my sister and I made a bet that neither of us would shave our heads for a fundraiser in our hometown. As I found out more about the fundraiser and its cause, my involvement grew. In a matter of days I was going to board meetings, setting up a benefit boot camp and shaving my head on live TV.


What started as a tribute to a family friend's bald son who had went through chemo and a bet with my sister; turned into my personal mission to fight for cure by shaving my head.

Nothing could have prepared me for the reactions that would follow. Most people just stare at my bald head and look aware in shame, as if I might be sick and they don't want to be caught staring.

But some people get it. I have had several survivors or family members of surviviors, or even those who did not survive cancer come to me and thank me for shaving my head. Tears fill their eyes as they share their stories with me. I feel like a part of something more for once. It has been without a doubt the second greatest thing I have ever done, the first- having my daughter.

And while I can't expect everyone to be able 'brave a shave'. You don't have to shave to be a hero. St. Baldrick's Foundation raises money for childhood cancer research. Only 3% of research money for cancer goes to childhood forms. Cancer is the #2 cause of death for children ages 1-15. 1 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer do not survive.


This experience as opened my eyes to the beauty and strength in the human spirit.I appreciate the small things in my life more now. I know I have to stay involved in my community and keep giving back. I hope you can find a cause that will bring you the same type of experience.