Calling All Moms! 46 Mommas Stand Up and Shave for Childhood Cancer Awareness

On September 21 at Union Station in Washington DC, 46 mothers from around the country will gather to shave their heads in solidarity with their children who have fought or are currently fighting cancer.  These 46 women call themselves the “46 Mommas.”

Why the 46 Mommas? This group represents the startling reality that each weekday 46 families are told that their child has cancer. The Mommas come from all over the country, and there may be one from your area. 

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (proclaimed in 2010 by President Obama), which means it is the perfect time for the 46 Mommas to join together with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, in supporting the Foundation’s mission to  “Conquer Kids’ Cancer!” The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers.

I just got this email and it made me all teary eyed and gave me goose bumps!  I wish I could join this amazing group of women in DC on September 21, 2011 because I'd gladly shave my head to support them!  These women are brave heroes and we should cheer them all!  I've never had to deal with a child having cancer, so I cannot imagine what they are going through or the things that they have had to face. 

My grandmother is a breast cancer survivor and I pray every day that she is here with us at the age of 81.  I couldn’t imagine it being a small child that is sick.  I hope that these women know they are doing such an amazing thing for their children.  It’s all for love.

Here’s more information:

“Your child has cancer.” Every week day, 46 families in the United States hear these words. This September, during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, 46 Mommas are gathering together in unity to shave their heads to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. The shaving event will take place in Washington, DC.

In 2010, our inaugural team took the name 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave and established a fundraising goal of $1 million for The St. Baldrick's Foundation.

The number 46 is important to the Mommas. It represents the number of children diagnosed with cancer every week day in the United States. Statistically, 20-25% of these children will not survive1. For certain types of childhood cancer, the numbers are more dismal. For example, a cure remains elusive for kids with DIPG, a rare brain cancer with less than 10% surviving 18 months after diagnosis2. An even smaller percent will live five years, the standard measure of survival for cancer patients. Awareness is the key, as it brings much needed funding. Approximately 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget is dedicated to childhood cancers3 and only $5 million of the $150 million in funding promised from the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act has been appropriated. The lack of funding is a large reason so few breakthroughs have been made for childhood cancers compared to adult cancers.
Mission Statement:

We ARE 46 Mommas on a mission to raise awareness, raise funds for research and inspire others to help fund a cure for childhood cancer.

Each year a new class of 46 Mommas is inducted into the cause to empower and engage mothers of children with cancer.  The number 46 is significant. On average, each weekday, 46 families receive the news that their child has cancer.  Through increasing awareness of childhood cancer and raising funds for childhood cancer research by shaving our heads, we hope to one day be a group that no longer needs to exist.

Awareness=>Funding=>Research=>CURES

Our goals:

    * Raise $1 million for St. Baldrick’s Foundation's childhood cancer research programs
    * Hold an annual head shaving event, uniting cancer mommas and their families, to help raise these research funds.
    * Increase awareness of key childhood cancer issues in our local communities
    * Advocate to increase funding, both nationally and locally, for childhood cancer specific issues
    * Collaborate with other childhood cancer organizations to help produce a stronger, united childhood cancer community.

About St. Baldrick's Foundation

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the world’s largest volunteer driven fundraising program for childhood cancer research. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation currently funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s headshaving events are the fastest growing volunteer-driven fundraising opportunity for childhood cancer research. To learn more visit www.StBaldricks.org.

For event information about 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave, contact:  info@46mommas.com
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SOMEONE SEND ME TO DC so I can support these women and shave my head to show my support!  Email me at iheartsupermom (at) aol (dot) com if anyone is willing to get me to DC for this event!!!  I'm serious!