Dear editor,

Since my Poppi's death in January of 2004, I haven't cut my hair. I vowed I wouldn't cut my hair until it was long enough to make a wig to help people that have cancer. Someone special in my family had cancer and it was really hard on all of us. When my aunt got sick again with her cancer I put all my extra money every night into a jar to give to the cancer fund. When my Great Aunt Carolyn died last month I decided it was really the time to cut my hair.

It is so hard to see so many people we love dying of this terrible disease. So many of them loose their hair and on top of everything else, what they have to go through is really tough. It makes me really sad. Now more than ever I want to help where I can, and I ask that everyone else who can help do what they can too. Please do what you can to make a difference for

these people; moms, dads, kids, grandparents, friends and family. It's not fair that so many people get sick from this disease and die. Everyday, doctors and researchers are fighting to find a cure just as much as patients are fighting for their lives. How would you like to be sick and in pain 24/7 and then when you go and see the doctor, they might tell you that you only have a short time to live? Or, that you have to undergo treatment and you will loose all of your hair? So, because of all of this, I am cutting off my hair today to help someone try to feel a little better about what they are having to go through. So, why don't you join me and cut off your hair so someone else who is having a rough

time can feel a little better about themselves and how they look and ultimately feel.

Let's all get together and make a difference!

Madison Wandinten, 12