CRYSTAL’S HEADSHAVE FOR CANCER

CANCER.  That is pretty much the most frightening word in ANY language.  We fear it.  We loathe it.  And sadly, we accept it.  But for most, not without a fight.  Can anyone honestly say that cancer has not touched their life in some way?  Either a family member, a close friend, or maybe you have had cancer.  If you actually sat down and thought about how many times cancer has intruded in some part of your life, and the impact from it, it is truly heartwrenching.

Some of you may or may not know how cancer has touched my life.  The largest impact it has had on my life was taking my mother from me when I was 19.  She was only 43.  My maternal aunt died of the same cancer.  She was only 36.  They had a gene that played a large part in their getting this cancer.  I, also, may or may not have that same gene.  My girls, in turn, may or may not have that same gene.  And so on, and so on.  I have had other family members that have passed from cancer, as well.  I have had friends that have had cancer and survived, too.  As you can see, the list goes on.  I live every day wondering if or when I will get it.  I am currently in the process of gene testing for myself, and I even do controversial screening yearly just because I need to know, for my family.  And yes, I fear it!

For years I have wanted to do something to help in the fight against cancer.  However, as many of us do, we get caught up in our busyness and always say things like 'soon' or 'one day'.  Certainly I have not been fortunate enough to be able to write a large cheque to donate.  So, I have been thinking a lot lately of how I could help right now.  I started small by cutting my hair and donating it to make wigs.  This was not enough for me and it was a segway to remembering something I have oftened said to some of my friends: "a woman should shave her head once in her life, it would truly be liberting."  Well, I believe it is time for me to 'walk the walk'!  Cancer patients, both genders, and of every age, have to deal with the emotional and physical loss of their hair and it can be quite devastating for some.  I believe our hair should not define who we are.  This is a reminder to all of us, and especially my two young girls, that it's what's on the inside that matters.  Love you for you.  Just love.  Purely, honestly, and without judgements.

So, I would like to shave my head to raise money for a great cause.  Now, I don't want to raise for just basic cancer research through a large company as the money gets sliced up for a lot of different costs and usually leaves not much for the actual research part.  I had the good fortune of recently meeting a lovely woman who lost her son to cancer several years back.  She is now a member of the British Columbia Childhood Cancer Parents Association, BCCCPA.  http://www.bcccpa.org/  This is a registered non-profit charitable society that helps the families of children with cancer.  Most of these families cannot afford all the treatments, medications, etc., or they have to quit their jobs to help kick cancer's butt for their children.  For all the amazing things this charity does, I strongly encourage you to visit their website. (and only a little over 10 percent of money raised is used toward administration and expenses)  I love knowing that close to all money raised will go to a family that so desparately needs it.

I would like to raise $3,000 by April 27, 2014 and if I do, I will shave my head!  This is a tall order so I am calling on everyone I know, and anyone you could pass this on to, to please come forward and help me reach my goal!  The cause is amazing and it's such a simple, easy way to make a positive impact on someone's life.  Help me do this now, not soon or later!

I would like to thank everyone in advance for all your help, encouragement and support!

Sincerely,

Crystal

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL DONATIONS OVER $25 CAN BE ISSUED A TAX RECEIPT