Shave to Save (Hank)!

There comes a time when you sometimes need to step back from the fun stuff and take a serious look at life. This is one of those times – please read on.

My buddy’s brother-in-law Hank was recently diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma. Hank has already been through one round of chemo and after being back at work part-time for a few months, his last day of work was Tuesday. He’ll be out of commission again for 3-4 months while he undergoes a stem cell transplant.

I have never met Hank personally, or even his wife (Chris’s sister Deanna) who live in Seattle, Washington. Whenever someone close to anyone you know finds themselves in a position like this, you cannot help but get involved. My family has been affected by Cancer – so call me a sucker for a good cause.

Chris’s sister started a “Shave to Save” campaign and is asking for donations that will go towards research for a cure for this disease.

Per Deanna’s blog:

My husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in September 2007. This is an aggressive, incurable cancer of the blood.

I’m hoping to raise money for research in finding a cure for this disease so that others do not have to go through the same hopelessness which results from being diagnosed with this type of cancer.

In order to meet my fundraising goal, I pledge to shave my head if I reach my fundraising target of $10,000 by May 10, 2008.

My friend Chris stepped up and said this on his blog yesterday:

My sister doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to raise the ante, in hopes to motivate my own friends to donate to her cause. I also pledge to shave my head if my sister reaches her fundraising target of $10,000 by May 10, 2008. I’ve never shaved my head, so I’m looking forward to it. And like my sister, the details will be blogged. I’ve already chipped in a donation, with more on the way after taxes get settled. That’s right, I’ve already purchased (hopefully) a $100 haircut. With any luck, it will get a lot more expensive!

Feeling inspired, I decided that I too would donate (did today) to the cause and put a post up here asking everyone in Islanders Nation to check out what they are doing. Right along with Chris, if Deanna makes it to their fundraising target of $10,000 by May 10, 2008, I will also shave my head in support!

By no means does anyone HAVE to donate, but if you have a few bucks to spare – it is for a great cause! Hopefully, come May 10th I will be sporting a brand new haircut!

Update!

Big thank you to Jim Baumbach of Newsday for linking over to my post on his blog!

It seems Newsday has now taken the link OFF of Greg’s blog – strange.

Amazing stuff this blogosphere!

Update 4/12

More support trickling in!

Thanks to Steve over at Islesnation for posting the info on the main page of his site.

Thanks to Paul over at Kuklas Korner who posted over on his site today (Monday)!

Also just wanted to thank those who have taken the time to donate, I noticed a bunch of new donations on the page and that is completely awesome of everyone!

Update 4/15

Two more blogs linked over today!

Dee Karl (AKA – 7thWoman) spoke about my post in her recent blog entry today! Check it out here.

NYIsles1 also made a great entry on Saturday (that I must have been sleeping to miss!!), you can check that one out here.

Thanks for the support everyone!