Arlington Mom Is Losing Her Hair, Not Her Hope

Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Friday, September 16th, 2011

Friday, September 16, 2011

Northern Virginia resident Danielle Leach is counting down the days until she loses all her hair. “Looks like I’ll be bald for my fortieth birthday,” she says, knowing that in less than a week, clippers are coming out as she and forty-five other women prepare to cut it all off.

Why such a drastic hair makeover?

Leach is part of the 46 Mommas, a national group of mothers who have children that have in some way been affected by cancer – either currently dealing with treatments, in remission or, like Leach, have a child who has passed away due to the vicious disease. Through their “Shave for the Brave” on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at Union Station in Washington D.C., the 46 Mommas, partnering with St. Baldrick’s Foundation, will be shaving their heads in an effort to take a stand against cancer and raise awareness and funds for research.

“It’s worth every hair on our heads,” says Leach. “Hair grows back; our kids don’t.”

Spunky, soccer-loving Mason Leach was just 3 years old when he was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer that would eventually take his life. “He got up every single day & lived his life – you pick yourself up and keep going,” says Leach. “He grabbed life by the horns, no matter what was happening.” After a fifteen month battle with the disease, the Leach family said their final good-byes to their little boy on October 13, 2007. “I think his epitaph says it all: ‘Mason Robert Leach: Superhero, soccer star, artist, and our loving, laughing little boy gone too soon.’”

For his mother, Danielle Leach, there was no question how she would spend her grieving time – by putting her heartache into action. Just over three and a half years ago, she started a fund in loving memory of Mason – The Mason Leach Superstar Fund, which has since raised over $40,000 through the support and donations from family, friends and the community. “You can close the door and shut down … I just couldn’t do that,” says Leach. “I put it all into action. We created the fund as a way to celebrate his life in a positive way, and to give the community a tool to honor him and his memory.” The money raised through the Superstar Fund’s annual Family Fun Day and Mason 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk and other collected donations benefits the National Children’s Medical Center, where Mason received treatments.

Leach also joined forces with Inspire.com as the Director of Partnership where she works to create support networks for families dealing with health conditions – many of which are cancer-related, as well as advocacy work on the Hill.

It only made sense for her to connect with the 46 Mommas, now in their second year. “When I saw what the 46 Mommas had done last year, I felt compelled to be part of that team,” says Leach, as a public declaration that she, like the other moms, is no where near done fighting. Fighting for the one in every 330 children who is diagnosed with cancer. Fighting for the survivors who have long-term or late on-set side effects from treatments. Fighting against the number one disease killer in children.

Fighting for the 46 children who are diagnosed every week day with cancer.

“That’s almost two classrooms full of kids,” says Leach. “That alone should motivate people. We can do better. If they happen to survive, we’ve brought them to the brink of death and back, then they live with the lifelong consequences [of their treatments].”

Twenty five years ago, Leach’s sister was diagnosed with cancer. “The same arsenal of drugs used over two decades ago are the same ones used on children today. “Not much has changed … there’s something wrong with that,” says Leach.”Drug development in childhood cancer is almost nill. We can’t wait for the government to invest.We can’t wait for pharmaceutical companies to invest in our kids.  Only one drug has been approved for childhood cancer in the past 25 years.” One approved drug  while thousands of children are dealing with twelve different types of cancer is not acceptable.”

” That’s what 46 Mommas are here for,” says Leach. “If that research isn’t happening, then nothing’s going to change.”

Today, Mason would have turned nine years old.

Help Danielle Leach, the 46 Mommas and St. Baldrick’s Foundation give the best birthday gift: donate online today in honor of the little Superstar, his battle and for thousands after him who have been diagnosed. Go to St. Baldrick’s Foundation and read more about their mission. And support the 46 Mommas at the headshaving event next week.

46 Mommas have set a $1 million goal before them and they’re reaching out to the nation to help reach that mark. The “Shave for the Brave” will take place next Wednesday in the West Main Hall at Union Station from 5 to 9 p.m. where licensed barbers will be on hand to shave away.

As Danielle Leach best put it, “Our children don’t have choice as to whether or not they want to be bald. We do.”

- Lorin Drinkard

 

Tags: 46 Mommas, Arlington, Arlington mom, cancer awareness, Danielle Leach, fundraising event, headshaving event, Lorin Drinkard, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, nova mag, shaving, St. Baldrick's Foundation, The Game Plan, The Mason Leach Superstar Fund