I think losing their hair is one of the first things people fear when they get the news they have cancer. Compared to facing a life-threatening illness and painful treatment, hair loss seems like a small thing, but it probably makes the cancer seem real. It’s something tangible you can focus on. A sign that everything is different. And probably fear that things may never be the same again. I would imagine it makes you feel exposed and vulnerable. You probably think everyone is looking at you, and all of a sudden something that is very private becomes very public.
Cancer patients don’t have a choice, but you do, and so does Melissa.
My sister-in-law, Melissa, is a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurse. She deals with childhood cancer patients every day. On March 8th, she’s shaving her head to raise funds for childhood cancer research and she needs your help! Look how beautiful she is and that head full of gorgeous hair!
As a PICU nurse I see so many families have their lives changed in an instant, and I feel this is somewhere I can show my support. I also am so grateful and feel so blessed to be healthy and be able to have it be my choice to go bald. It’s awesome to be able to help raise money for such a worthy cause. ~Melissa Job
Worldwide, 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. And in the U.S., more children die of childhood cancer than of any other disease. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation works closely with leading pediatric oncologists to fund promising research that will benefit children with cancer and save some of those lives.
How you can help
Please consider contributing to Melissa’s donation fund. I think she’s incredibly brave and I don’t want her to shave off all that beautiful hair for nothing. All donations are welcome, and no amount is too small! If you aren’t able to donate at this time, I’d appreciate if you would at least considering sharing this post on Facebook and other social media channels. Thanks for being a part of the Sublime Reflection community!
Join the Discussion
Do you know a child with cancer? Or has your life been directly affected by cancer?
Thank you so much Kim for giving this worthy cause a shout out! I know that when we work together as a whole, the difference that we make can be and WILL be life changing! Again I appreciate all opportunities I have to help St. Baldricks be known and make a difference.
Beautiful. Good luck to her on her quest. Such an emotional cause to be apart of.
Wow, good for her!! Maybe, if I worked with families every day and had a much closer understanding of what they go through, I could make a statement like Melissa is. I can’t even imagine watching your little one suffer.
That is so cool that she is shaving her head. I cant even imagine the pain these families go through
I’m one of “those” moms. I have a toddler who fights everyday against cancer. I don’t need to tell you how brutal an experience this is– but I will say seeing stories like this make our journey so much easier. Thank you Melissa and all the other nurses who work with Kean at St. Luke’s. I’ve said it many times– I often feel like I am surrounded by giants. PICU and MSTI nurses are cut from some pretty special cloth.
Thank you.
Lonni Barker
http://www.reincarnatedasamother.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by, Lonni. I would venture a guess that Mamas who have kids with cancer are cut from pretty special cloth as well. Much love, best wishes, and prayers headed your way.
What an amazing thing your sister in law is doing and for a cause so worthy.