Going Bald for Bucks

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Editor’s Note: ThirdAge blogger Darcy Thiel is the author of Bitter and Sweet: A Family’s Journey with Cancer. The book tells the story of Darcy’s husband Tim, who was abruptly diagnosed with stage IV gallbladder cancer and died at the age of 48. Here, Darcy talks about seeing the couple’s young son Frankie go bald as part of a fundraiser for cancer:

Friday was Frankie’s Bald for Bucks event. Grandpa made the trek to attend because Frankie said Grandpa hated his long hair more than anyone else so he should be there.

The energy level was great. The kids filled the auditorium and there was a young band there playing all the pop radio songs. The kids sang at the top of their lungs. It wasn’t that obnoxious kind of singing, just a bunch of pre-teens loving their music. There was a professional DJ there as well.

Frankie was in the first group to go for sixth grade. I was very surprised at how emotional I felt. I had to choke back tears several times. Was Frankie thinking about his dad? Were his friends thinking about the fact that Frankie’s participation carried so much significance? Were his teachers? Does it matter?

What surprised me even more was that Frankie couldn’t keep the smile off his face the whole time they were shaving his head.

And then the finished product. My guy with his grandpa. Again, I choked back tears. He raised $500 for Roswell [the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY). Maybe someday they really will find a cure for cancer!

Darcy Thiel, MA is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in NY State. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. Ms. Thiel has been a couple and family therapist in West Seneca, NY since the mid-1990’s. In addition, she owns a business helping people de-clutter their homes and offices. Ms. Thiel also owns Baby Coop Publishing LLC and is excited to be releasing her first book, Bitter and Sweet, A Family’s Journey with Cancer. Find it here: www.babycooppublishing.com. You can read more about Darcy’s work here: http://www.marriageandfamilycounseling.net.