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What are you doing?
I'm shaving my head to raise money for children's cancer research! This will be my third time.
Oh really?! When?
Yes. Really! Saturday, March 9th, 2013. You could come watch, if you are free that day.
Where would one go to watch such a spectacle?
Fado Irish Pub, Seattle, Washington. You could also donate money, here:
Now, for the tough question, Why?
I knew you'd ask that question. Of course I knew because you're me and I know what I'm thinking... sometimes.
I prepared for this question. I prepared for a damn long time. 12 days actually.
Most of my readers, I imagine, already know why I shaved my head the first time in March 2008 and again in March 2009. After that I embarked on my bigforkadventure and took a swing at growing up. I listened to those voices in my head that told me it was time to grow up, time to be an adult,
Every 3 minutes, globally, a child is diagnosed with cancer.
In the United States (where some of the better healthcare is available), 1 in 5 will not survive.
And of those that survive, 2 out of 3 will suffer long term effects from treatment.
I decided in January, that St. Baldrick's would be one of my major accomplishments this year, so I've been kicking the idea around in my head for a bit. Initially, I have to admit, my involvement was somewhat selfish. I missed it; I missed being involved in something greater than me, something that matters. I wanted to feel that feeling of doing "great work" again. I couldn't accept that, shaving my head to make me feel good about me. I burrowed into my thoughts (which is why it has taken me most of February to write this blog). I asked myself over and over again, Why? I read old posts from years past. I read the speeches I gave before the events in 2008 and 2009.
Despite all this internal searching, the answer didn't come until I talked to others.
Talking to Candis
I told Candis I was really struggling to write this out. She pulled my nose out of my laptop, looked me in the eyes, and said, "Well then, just tell me why. Why are you doing this?" I told her about Lizzie from Kearney, Nebraska. I told her about how my freshman year of college I read this heart wrenching blog mostly by Lizzie's mom that told her family's story of love and loss during Lizzie's battle with cancer. Their story, while unique to them, has too many themes common among families battling cancer. Buried in all their pain was this quote from Lizzie:
"My goal in life is to impact and change as many people's lives as I can. I want as many people as possible to know how important it is to enjoy life as much as possible. I feel like I'm supposed to help people to see how important it is to enjoy what you have when you have it. I love helping people, and I think the more people, who can enjoy their lives the better the world will be. I believe that you never know when things can change, so you need to enjoy things while you have them. Carpe diem, or seize the day!"
I said to Candis, "Lizzie's the reason I did it the first time. When I think about reading that the first time, quoting it again at my event in 2008, and reading it again now, I think, 'Here is a 14 year old who gets it; she gets life.' I mean 2013 for me is about living life intentionally, and that's the spirit I get from Lizzie when I read what she wrote."
To that Candis said, "See. There's your reason."
Talking to Coworkers
Armed with a self printed St. Baldrick's business card, I approached coworkers and asked for their hard earned money, and another answer to why stumbled out my mouth.
I slowly talked to individual coworkers about shaving my head for St. Baldricks. I started with the safe ones, the guys and gals I felt most comfortable around. I moved on to sitting in the lunch room just waiting for the opportune moment to tell somebody about my cause. Next was the VP of engineering, followed by a sit down in the office of the company president. Finally, at the prodding of a few individuals, I said the following at the weekly staff meeting:
I'm shaving my head on Saturday, March 9th in solidarity with children fighting cancer.
I'm doing this, also, to raise money to fund childhood cancer research.
My goal is to raise a minimum of 2000 dollars.
I will personally match 10 percent of all donations before the event.
Fine Print: My maximum contribution is 500, as I have to pay my rent.
St. Baldricks is an organization I whole-heartedly support.
I've been involved with them since late 2007.
I've spent the last 4 years growing my hair out, and in 17 days
I will shave my head for the 3rd time.
As a marine engineer, I don't expect to cure any cancer.
But since cancer affects us all, I want to help any way I can.
Both I can give.
Will you help?
The take away from talking with my coworkers, both individually and in mass, is found in the last portion of my spiel. My working life does not take on my larger purpose in life. I have a responsibility to impact the world in a positive, giving way. St. Baldricks helps me fulfill this responsibility, this need.
Okay, okay, okay, could you maybe summarize all that rambling? Why are you shaving your head?
I have a desire, a responsibility even, to intentionally impact the world for the better.
Don't you?
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