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SSMHealth > Everything is Possible > Blog > Posts > Diagnosis: Love

3/9/2010

Diagnosis: Love

By Deena Fischer, Network Director of Public Relations

Most of the male population couldn't begin to understand why women do what they do to their hair.  But to many women, we stress when we can't curl, straighten or blow dry our hair correctly - a "bad hair day."

This past weekend a story about an SSM oncology nurse touched me personally. Though I have never met Laura Wulf or her son, the story touched me because of her compassionate support for children with cancer led her to bring the St. Baldrick's fundraiser to St. Louis six years ago.  Last Fall, Laura's 2-year-old son Jude was diagnosed with cancer.

I thought about this story this morning when I was in a hurry to get out the door to get to work.  Every morning, I have my 10-month old baby girl sitting in the hallway next to me and she watches as I blow dry, curl, pull, tease and spray my hair.  I give her a baby brush to hold and keep her busy.  I then take her hair that is now growing at a rapid pace and pull it  into a tiny pony-tail and place a bow up there.

St. Baldrick's fundraiser recruits teams to raise money and on event day, "shavees" get their locks shaved to show solidarity with the pediatric cancer patients.

I felt a connection to Laura and her passion to help others.  You see, I grow my hair long and then cut it off to donate to "Locks of Love."  It brings me joy the day that I pull it into a pony-tail and the hairdresser always asks, "Are you sure you want to do this?"  Then in a quick snip my hair is off my head and in a package to someone who will receive it in the form of a wig.  I always wonder about the joy the recipient might feel when they receive the wig.  I might not be able to help someone with their cancer diagnosis but my small donation might provide comfort to a stranger going through chemotherapy. 

I know there are other people that participate in Locks of Love or St. Baldricks.  What's your story?  Why do you do it?

Here's a link to the story about the SSM Cardinal Glennon nurse and her son, Jude.  I am praying for you, Jude. 

Posted at 10:52 AM by Gobble, Jennifer | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (4)

Comments

Donations

For all most of my life I have kept my hair long, mostly past the middle of my back. When I was in 2nd grade I saw a girl in a store that was about my age, she had a bandana wrapped around her head but you could still see her bald skin popping through. Even though I was 8 years old I wished I could give her some of my hair since I had so much. When I talked to my mom about it she said that if I really wanted to I could donate my hair to help. The next day, after school, I went to Fantastic Sams and donated 14 inches.
I am now 23 and have donated at least 10 inches every 2-3 years. Everytime I sit down in the beautician's chair I get the same feeling I had when I was 8 years old, hope.
at 3/9/2010 4:21 PM

Locks of Love

I too, have given to the Locks of Love program. I am 46 and have done this 3x. I love growing my hair out long and then having at least a foot cut off knowing I will be helping lessen the burden of a child, already struggling with cancer, feel a little better about their unfortunate situation. Just imagine, we as adult women, feel totally off if we have "a bad hair day"... how must they, as children feel when being stared at, made fun of...children can be so cruel sometimes, as can adults.  So if I can help in some small token way, I feel as though I must.  Every child deserves to smile.
at 3/10/2010 6:45 AM

I donate also

My daughter and I decided a few years ago that we would donate our hair, mine was long enough but we had to wait a little longer for hers.  In the meantime I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  That gave us special incentive.  My surgeon told me I wasn't going to need chemotherapy, so before surgery my daughter and I went and got our hair cut.  I donated 10 inches and had a nice almost to the shoulder bob left.  I then met the the medical oncologist who wanted me to have chemotherapy much to my dismay and I had my first dose.  I went right back to have them ponytail my hair and then shave it off, they would get 8 inches, but they wouldn't because I had already had a dose of chemotherapy and I couldn't convince them that the dose I received that day wouldn't be in my hair yet. I was so disappointed, they had told me my hair was a great quality for making wigs.  It's been almost 5 years and my hair is now past my shoulders again and my daughter and I are planning again to donate.  I hope I can, I have to find out if aromatase inhibitors will stop me from donating.  Its such a great feeling to be helping out young people.
at 3/10/2010 3:43 PM

St. Bladrick's is an amazing organization

My husband, brother-in-law, and nephew all shaved their heads this year at the St. Baldrick's event organized by Laura.  My brother-in-law's friends lost their son to neuroblastoma several years ago.  For the past 7 years, they have put together a team to honor Mark's memory and to continue to raise money for a cure so other children don't have to lose their lives.  My husband teaches middle school, and each year he holds a mini-St. Baldrick's event at his school so that the children can either donate to Locks of Love or shave their heads in solidarity with children fighting cancer.  All the money raised is then given to the St. Baldrick's Foundation.  Laura is such an amazing woman, and she has done great things by bringing the St. Baldrick's event to St. Louis.  We too are praying for her family!
at 3/12/2010 9:38 AM

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