Northport St. Baldrick's Update: My Cousin Kristy is Northport's 2016 Honoree

Kristy’s Krew: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/807383/2016/

On November 29, 2000, I lost my 21 year old cousin Kristy Lyn Haley to Melanoma aka “the silent killer”. Kristy was diagnosed from a mole on her back in 1998 when she was 19 years old. In August 2000, the cancer returned, but this time it was on her lungs and shortly after, the cancer had spread to her brain. Doctors told her there were injections that weren’t yet legal in the United States that she could try but there was no guarantee they would work.

Kristy being Kristy and keeping her positive attitude, wanted to try the injections anyway. In November 2000, Kristy, her mom, and boyfriend boarded a plane to Germany where she was set to receive the injections and hopefully return cancer free.

Unfortunately Kristy never made it to receive the first injection. She passed away a few days later. Kristy possessed great courage during her fight. She never let the disease get the best of her. When she learned the cancer had returned that August, Kristy had a new perspective on life. She noticed that there are so many people who take things for granted-- health, family and most importantly life! She kept her chin held high and always had a smile on her face. That’s how I remember Kristy...always smiling. Kristy had a passion for kids and she also loved helping people. Kristy’s biggest fear was that she was going to be forgotten. I promised my family that I would never let that happen. And then St. Baldrick’s came into my life.

In 2007 I was 24 years old and decided to shave my head at St. Baldrick’s. As excited as I was, I couldn’t believe what I was doing. It was never once a thought in my mind to say forget it. People told me I was crazy because “Girls don’t walk around with shaved heads!!” Hearing this made me want to do this 100 times more. My adrenaline was pumping. I couldn’t turn back. The first chunks of hair taken off were my ponytails. Then I heard it...the buzzer started. I think I actually gasped before the tears started rolling down my face. I looked up and saw one picture on the wall, one face staring at me and I knew her -- my cousin Kristy. Her picture was on that wall because she lost her fight. She was now an angel. My angel. Before I knew it I was bald and more beautiful than ever. This was the first experience of what would become something so passionate to me. This was the start of something beautiful.

Please join us on March 11th and March 12th to honor Kristy Lyn Haley at our Northport St. Baldrick’s events.

This year I will proudly celebrate my 10th anniversary with St. Baldrick’s and I couldn’t be more excited to have Kristy be the honoree and celebrate the day (her birthday!) with the Northport community. I will be shaving my head again along with my team Kristy’s Krew. I am so thankful for Kristy. I truly feel like I picked up where she left off. I’m a firm believer that Kristy brought St. Baldrick‘s and I together.

Hope to see you there!

-April White

*As of February 22, 2016, April reached her fundraising goal of $4,000 so she raised it to $10,000!!!

NORTHPORT’S ST. BALDRICK’S EVENTS:

WWW.STBALDRICKS.ORG

St. Baldrick’s School Event

Friday, March 11th

5:00pm-8:00pm

Brosnan Administration Bldg - Laurel Avenue, Northport

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Pub Event

Saturday, March 12th

12noon-6:00pm

Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub - Laurel Avenue, Northport