It was 2015 when I made the decision to get involved with No Shave November.  I passed on this effort for many years as I felt the need to look “professional” in the workplace and didn’t want to stand out in meetings, or at a client’s office. Cancer patients don’t have a choice, they are who they are, and without our continuous support, awareness, and research, we are the ones out of place by not participating.  How could I say no?

I was embarking on a great career in 2006 when I received a phone call that forever changed our family.  My dad was diagnosed with Plasmacytoma cancer. The doctor said it’s “one of the best cancers to get.” I wondered, “Is there such a thing as a good cancer?”.  He underwent treatment and all was well. 

A couple years later, at one of his regular doctor visits, he received a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, which is a type of incurable bone cancer.  He courageously underwent a series of treatments landing him several months in the hospital, and the prognosis was not great.  My dad is a trooper, and he fought every day through the chemo.  He powered through and beat the odds, that is until a few years ago when he learned the cancer was active again. Although the chemo and stem cell treatments were awful and put him in hospital quarantine for a while, he knew he had to do them.  The science has progressed, and a little over two years after the treatments, my dad returned to the golf course, after not playing for many years.  I am very happy to report my dad is still with us and continues to enjoy a round of golf today.  I cherish every moment I have to talk, FaceTime, and be with him.   

This will be my tenth year supporting No-Shave November and with the tremendous support from my GT colleagues and the Houston Hockey community, over the years we have raised over $75,000.  My goal this year is to raise $10,000.  In addition to financial support, I will be supporting No-Shave November by NOT shaving this November, and I ask you, who are willing and able, to also put down your razors.  If you cannot, I understand, but know, that as I do, it is with the love for my dad, and others afflicted with this awful disease whom we support.