I joined Be Bold, Be Bald to raise money in the fight against cancer. The disease has stolen life from too many people while leaving their families with a void that they have to bear for the rest of their lives.

My first experience with cancer was when I was around twelve years of age. My good friends and neighbors Donna and Doug were hit with the blow that their mother had cancer. I remember watching this magnificent woman succumb to this horrible disease like an exquisite flower withering in an arid desert. I remember feeling overcome with sadness for their loss, but also petrified that this monster could capture one of my family members as well. 

Many years later—the same year my son Josh was born—my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily she only lost her breast and not her. It was then that I realized what an amazing spirit my grandmother (Ruth Piekos) had. She was so nonchalant about losing her breast and was able to celebrate her life with us for another nineteen years.

In 1999, I was told that a routine pap smear detected pre-cancer cells. After having some minor problems, my doctors and I decided it best to have a hysterectomy. I’m happy to say that early detection made me one of the lucky ones.

I have lost very dear friends to cancer and I have friends who are battling the disease at this very moment. Everyday, I hope and pray that we can stop this monster of a disease so not to have one more person succumb to it. The way to make this happen is to focus our time, energy and research dollars into preventing anyone from getting cancer again. 

To sponsor Dawn, visit her fundraising page.