In support of my wife, Tricia, and in honor of both my brother-in-law, Jeff Prentice, I'm challenging my family, friends and blog readers to help me raise no less than $3000 in 1 week for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).
If I can raise $3000 by noon next Friday (August 8, 2008), I will shave my head, live on the internet at 8pm that night (all times are EST).
The LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Last year, LLS funded more than $64 million in research, with more than $7 million going towards 18 active research projects at Duke and UNC.
LLS also provides several resources to their patients, including Family Support Groups and a Patient Financial Aid Program.
As you know, Tricia was diagnosed with Post-Transplant Lymphoma a few weeks ago. What you might not know is that Tricia's brother-in-law was also diagnosed with Stage IV Follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), a treatable, but incurable cancer. He is the father of five of my favorite nieces and nephews and is also currently undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, similar to Tricia. I am privileged that he has given me his permission to participate in this fundraiser in his honor.
I have to warn you...I have shaved my head (and by "shave", I do mean with a razor) once before, and I've been told that I might have one of the ugliest heads in the history of the world, which is bizarre considering the rest of me is so beautiful...
To participate in the worldwide effort to make me bald and beautiful, simply Click Here and follow the online instructions.
OR
Mail a check, made out to "LLS", with "CFHusband Goes Bald" in the memo line to:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
401 Harrison Oaks Blvd., Ste. 200
Cary, NC 27513
Every penny we raise (under or over $3000) goes directly to the LLS, and if you have any questions about this fundraiser, feel free to contact the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of LLS.
And, if you really want to see my shiny, white head, consider linking this post on your blog and asking people for their support (and, feel free to use the graphic above)!!!
Thank you so much for considering being a part of this fundraiser and making life a little easier for hundreds of thousands of cancer patients around the world!
Sincerely,
Nate
BTW. Because I know people will ask, Tricia has not lost any of her hair yet, but the odds are she will within the next few weeks.
57 comments:
She will be stunning, no matter what the chemo may cause to happen to her hair!
I posted a link from my blog, though I don't have too many loyal readers. Best of luck to you in the fundraising, keep us all posted. (Though if we are mailing checks, how will you know if they don't get there before Friday??) Just a thought.
http://justaboutjen.blogspot.com/2008/08/cf-husband-goes-bald.html
Bwhahahahhaha! Let the fun begin!
Happy to help, Nate! I'll add a link for this on my blog too. I'm always hitting my friends up for CF donations, so this should throw them for a loop. ;)
I think most of my blog readers came from your blog, but I'll post a link anyways. Also, earlier this week I said I was going to contribute $65 to my CFF donation page because I haven't received any donations lately and I'm tired of looking at the same total every day. Well I've decided I'd rather see what your head looks like bald - I'm redirecting that $65.
BTW: In case you need one Nate (because I have a feeling you will), this weekend in NC .. it's tax free weekend. I read somewhere that wigs are included in that tax free thing. SO you might wanna get thee to your nearest wig store so you can sport yourself a mullet. :) OR you can buy Tricia a beautiful head of hair for the future .. OR .. bald is beautiful. :) Love you guys.
I think its an amazing thing you are doing. Praise God for you and all the wonderful things you do for your family and others.
Great idea, Nate. Just remember the sunscreen afterwards on the beach! :)
Hey Nate--can we donate w/PayPal?
I am also putting a link on my blog for you. I like the idea of donating via Paypal--please let us know if that's an option!
I am a long time volunteer for the LLS (coach and participant of team in training). I really appreciate your efforts! I will most certainly post this on my blog.
I used to work for LLS in Cincinnati, Ohio and it is truly a blessing to have people like you all to support such a wonderful organization! I know that the LLS will greatly appreciate all your hard work and support! Many blessings to you and your family!
You are too funny!! My daughter and SIL shaved their heads in the spring to raise money for pediatric cancer research--especially in honor and memory of some with osteo-sarcome....You go!! I hope I get to see that ugly head!! LOL NO head is ugly when done for that reason!!
Shari, NC
Awesome idea!!! I donated and will link this post to my blog.
Ok, well Jeff looks pretty cool with that head of his. So I imagine the pair of you (should Tricia loose hair as well) will also. For Tricia and Jeff and all with l or l, I am happy to help you reach that goal in a week.
Thanks for the opportunity to donate. Our family was also hit by leukemia and lymphoma last year. In March my not quite 3 year old great-niece was diagnosed with ALL and in October my mother had surgery to remove a large lymphoma tumor on her jaw. I'm happy to say both are doing well. Thanks again, Elaine
You've Been LINKED! Awesome, Nate....Good Luck!
I posted a link from my blog. I'll be sending a check
Hi tricia and Nathan,
It's been a while since I have posted here although I read daily. Today's post came just in time. You see, I've been busy - getting diagnosed with cancer and all the follow up appointments. My cancer is very agressive requiring surgery, chemo andm radiation. So I will most likely join you in the club of baldness and tricia, I am not looking forward to any of this.
I was going to try to mparticipate in the CF walk in Sept. but that is now out. My surgery is Aug. 12I read your blog each day and love the Gwynnie pics and the family pics. aND THE DOG AND THE KITTY ONES TOO.
I'm still in shock but you guys have showed me the way and I admire your courage, your hope and your faith.
Love ya!
Cheryl from Fairfax
Wow, 20% of the way there in just a few hours; I'll bet your far exceed your goal!
Goes to show how many people you have touched.
My mom is a non-hodgkins lymphoma survivor, so the LLS is a very very close second to CF for us. I was very happy to donate, and i'm eager to see what Nate looks like bald!!
Link to your blog done and donation made! Good luck!
Dear Nate and Tricia,
I am so sorry to hear that cancer has not so graciously blessed you with it's presence. But I know with your faith and love you will over come it.
I am a Stage IV Follicular Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (fNHL) patient. I was diagnosed Jan 2008 and am currently undergoing R-CHOP followed by 2 years of maintanence Rituxan.
Losing my hair was difficult. But I decided I had had enough of cancer controling my life. I was going to decide when I became totally bald. My best friends gave me a rockin' purple mohawk and then they placed temporary tattoos all over my head. It was such a positive experience.
I wish your family all the best and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
April Bell
www.caringbridge.org/visit/aprilbell
linked my my blog too... nt syre how much 'traffic' i get! but hey it all helps right!
good luck!
I think you've got competition for the ugliest head...
My husband shaved his head to raise money for another dialysis machine at our local hospital and discovered exactly why he shouldn't :)
He has these bizarre ridge things in his skull that show up when he's bald, funny thing is both his brothers look great bald, my husband is just the freak lol
Good luck with this fundraiser, hope you reach your target.
You must go to the "Buff" website. I shaved my head two weeks ago and this was the most perfect answer to baldness in sheer comfort. You can even change the color of your "new" hair.
Good luck with this! I did a 1/2 marathon for LLS last year with Team In Training and raised over $2700! I am going to post a link to your donation page on my blog as well.
I've posted a link on my blog and i'll post about it on the IVillage message boards I belong to too.
Good luck! I really hope you make your goal, then we'll really see who Gwyneth looks like!
Nate - all I can say is: YOU ROCK! I lost all my hair three summers ago to Hodgkins Lymphoma treatments and will be cutting off 11 inches of my chemo curls (yeah, tell Trish she could get curly hair when it's all back!) to mark the 3rd anniversary of my end of treatmet in October to send off to Locks of Love. I'll be posting a link to you as well as my donation! Blessings for all you're doing for patients all over and for your family!
The good thing about hair is that... it comes back! *YAY*!
So awesome of you to do this Nate.
haha!! i looked at the address and since I live in that area code and know its a small one i went to map quest it. Turns out it is across the street from where my parents work and is literary a 5 minute drive from my house! And to think, I have lived here for 11 years and never knew that!
I this this is one of the most creative ways to raise money for something like this!
This is great Nate! I know you can do it and I am betting you hit that total before Monday.
I think you will have to strut your stuff. I expect to see that by the 8th lol.
You and Tricia both Rock.
We continue to pray in your Families behalf.
Good luck!
At this point, it looks like I'll be donating nearly $3000 to LLS myself as my fundraising isn't going so hot... and I still need to reach my goal.
Ok, I just have to do this . . . my family and friends have walked in the Light the Night Walk for the LLS for the last 4 (going on 5 in 2008) years, all because of a sweet baby named Allie Scott - see scotthousehold.com for their story - who sadly did not live to see her first birthday. However, we are all PROUD that we were (maybe still are?) the first and only NATIONAL Friends and Family group that LLS has had! (Most being companies) The name has since changed from Allie's Angels to Friends of Heroes, but all of the money goes to LLS regardless - although the first year's original grant was named to support LLS research for children. We are reaching our $1 million dollar mark this year - and I have, unfortunately, met people and had family diagnosed since the start in 2004 - but if you feel so inclined please join our Team and "ear-mark" your donation for Friends of Heroes (with a affiliate team named, of course, Friends of Tricia! or whatever!) so that we can show the world and LLS what a "few" determined individuals can do . . .
Always checking in on you guys, and praying!!! LOL!
I work for LLS in Cincinnati OH. I will make sure this gets around. Maybe I can post a link to your blog for one of our current TNT mission moments. Best of Luck. (And by the way, I shaved my head for LLS too. It wasn't pretty. My dog wouldn't come near me.) Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
- Eric
I will giggle if Tricia doesn't lose a hair on her head after you shave yours;) Tricia will be beautiful regardless.
I honestly wish I could help with this. My 2yr old niece has leukemia. She is over in Seattle getting ready for a bone marrow transplant. but I think this is a wonderful thing you are doing. And hopefully with God's help you will make amount your hoping for and so much more. You and your family are still in my prayers.
Oh, wow! Nate, looks like your fixin' to be bald!
I've recently adjusted to my new curly hair post chemo for non-hodgkins lymphoma. I've made a small donation for you and Tricia to support the LLS. They have surely been a blessing to me and my family. I'm really pulling for the pair of you, and, am certain, as always, Trica, by the grace of our amazing God, will come out on top and add this to her already amazing testimony of how GOOD God is.
God bless you! Can't wait to see that mellon.
And, Tricia sweetie... I know the fear of losing your hair can be overwhelming; but, it's really not that bad. I had the same treatment you are undergoing. I actually almost liked it better, because, it was much less work. With a new baby you can appreciate that :) (I have 5 small children myself)
Cheryl Larche - Texas
Delurking to say What a great idea! Good luck! http://ramblingsofawheelyracer.wordpress.com/
You and Tricia are a great team!
I have it linked. I think it is great that you are involving yourself in an active way in the issues affecting your family.
Your strength and commitment is inspiring! Your artwork and info is on my page. Good Luck!
Donated...$8.91
Posted on my blog...A few minutes of my time
Mass email...Few more minutes of my time
Watching Nate go bald on live internet...PRICELESS
I am so excited...I can't wait!!
I posted a link on my blog, http://shanquin.blogspot.com/2008/08/help-man.html Hopefully maybe even a few more people can check your out and help you out!
if you have to shave your head & when Tricia loses her hair & since Gwyneth doesn't have that much hair yet, you'll look like triplets ;)
do they make those cute head bands with bows for adults? then Tricia & Gwyneth can really look like twins!!
You are one wild fund raiser! We are praying.
Nate: I posted the link on my blog: http://staceysplace-stacey.blogspot.com/. I personally hope you double the amount you are trying to raise :)
Oh, this is going to be fun. Hair or not, Tricia will still be the pretty one...haha.
Donating and linking to my blog as well. Good luck and happy shaving!
You guys couldn't rock any harder!
Hey Nate - what a great idea. My kids and I walked the Light the Night walk last October and will do so again this year. It is specifically for blood and Lymphatic Cancers. I will donate to yours too. Still praying hard that Tricia's treatment will be successful, nothing, even her hair falling out could make her not beautiful inside and out - because she is. Hang in there all of you,
Tricia and Family (N.VA)
We only have about 50 viewers a day to our website...but I posted it there!
Tricia will be BEAUTIFUL no matter what happens!
Oh, the site! Duh!
http://ucm.weebly.com
I posted a link on my blog. I hope it helps!
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lcourtneymom/569185/
Hmm. Looks like you are going to be bald but beautiful on Friday! lol Must feel pretty good to put out a request and receive such an overwhelming response. It just goes to show how special you guys really are :-)
What's the count now?
Way to Go! I have only just found your blog and am so thrilled at what you are doing. Raising awareness is such a huge contributor to making treatments and cures and research possible. It's amazing what love and support can do. You are an inspiration.
I am currently training for a triathlon with the Portland Chapter Team in Training, and LLS. Several members of our team started talking about just what you are doing... shaving our heads to up the ante, as it were, in our fundraising efforts. And show some solidarity for our loved ones battling cancer and a results of chemo and radiation. (Plus, our hair will all be donated to Lock of Love or Matter of Trust.)
Please email me at ralyn.miller@yahoo.com ... I wasn't able to connect with your email on the Email Nate link. I'd really love to pick your brain and link arms in support of LLS.
Our hearts go out to you and your beautiful family. You are in my prayers.
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