Over the past several years, my family and I have done the Race for Hope in hone of my mother, Marie Richardson.  I've always wanted to do something else so I've decided to do the No Shave November in her memory.  The No Shave November can often me for men's health issues, but I am choosing to do it for overall cancer awareness. 

My mother would have turned 75 earlier this month and she passed away 24 years ago this November.  She was an incredible mother, sister, and friend!.  She would do anything for her family and was a great role model.  Despite her basically being a single mother, she made time for anyone and I'll always remember her compassion by inviting a lonely friend for Thanksgiving dinner with our family or volunteering at a Soup Kitchen in Mount Airy most weeks.  I miss her all the time.!

I've already started the No Shave Challenge and haven't shaved since 1st November.  When I feel itchy, I think how minor this feels compared to what my Mom and all cancer patients deal with as they go through treatment.  As I think how scruffy my beard looks and how it makes me look really old, I think about all the cancer patients like my Mom who lose their hair as part of treatment.  Not shaving for a month is a pretty small sacrifice.  I am also going to make November a month of extra service on my own part by doing things like donating Thanksgiving dinner through our church and doing other charitable acts.      

Many of us have lost someone we love to cancer, so you can make a donation in memory of anyone you choose.

I picked the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for donations because I've always been inspired by Alex and all she did in her life in such a short period of time.  My Mom loved her kids more than anything (except maybe candy!) so doing something for pedriatic cancer was a natural fit.  This foundation is rated incredibly high in terms of keeping adminstrative costs low and making sure almost all the donations go to research and patient efforts.  It is a great cause!

You can make a donation right to this page and no amount is too small (even $5 or $10 will add up).  Many companies also do a matching gift program so it might be easy to double your donation.  I set a goal of at least $400 because that equals one day of research.  The money you donate will pay for research to find better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. 

Thanks for your support!