Williams: Going bald; again

The Cyclones are in the Sweet 16. All is out-freaking-standing for you Cyclone Fanatics. As you well know, not everyone is so fortunate.

If you remember, a little over a year ago, I shaved my head to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization that raises money specifically to fight children’s cancer.

I shaved in honor of my beautiful neighbor, Ava, a 9-year old brain cancer survivor. I am scheduled to shave again this year – on April 5 to be exact (although that could change if Iowa State makes the Final Four).

Take five minutes out of your life and get to know Ava through this touching video. 

Here is as touching of a story as you will hear all day. 

A few weeks ago, I got a call from Ava’s dad, Kris, who has grown to be a close friend of mine.

“Ava asked me if you’re going to shave your head again this year,” he said.

I told him that I hadn’t really thought about it but would be glad to participate in such a worthy cause. There was a kicker to the phone call though.

“She said that she is going to raise more money than you,” Kris told me. 

Excuse me? I was being called out by a 9-year old. 

Think about this for a minute: This young girl has literally been through hell, but she is here. I see her smiling every single day when she gets off the school bus. She is always dressed up. She loves dogs and playing outside. Why has Ava elected to chop her hair off and donate it to Locks of Love?

“Because I want to help kids who are going through what I did,” she said.

That is unbelievable to me.

If you watched the video, you saw Ava’s struggle at its all-time low. Look at her now.

Fanatics – last year you all raised over $10,000 for this great cause. All together, with the help of the generous Lohse Family Foundation (that matches every dollar raised up to $50,000) let’s top last year’s donations. 

Here is my challenge to you though: Allow Ava to kick my butt this year. This is a challenge that I really want her to absolutely crush me in. Don’t donate to me. Donate to her. As surprising as this might seem to you, 9-year old girls generally don’t hang out at CycloneFanatic.com so she has no clue what we are about to do.

Let’s all support this inspiring little girl for giving back to children who are going through something that most of us cannot even comprehend. For Ava, raising a massive sum of money to fight childhood cancer would mean the world to this young survivor.

Can we top what we did as a group a year ago? Let’s give it a shot. 

DONATE to Ava’s cause by CLICKING HERE. 

If you want to give twice, CLICK HERE to view my page as well.