9-year-old ArleighLynn Hurd of Owego is an amazing little girl. On Saturday March 15th, she will completely shave her head bald to help raise money for childhood cancer research.

Worldwide, 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. And in the U.S., more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease—more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined.

On March 17, 2000, the very first St. Baldrick’s event took place where the goal of shaving 17 heads and raising $17,000 turned into 19 bald heads and $104,000 donated to fund the research of the Children’s Oncology Group. By 2012, more than $100 million dollars had been raised by shaving heads with the proceeds going to childhood cancer research grants.

Little ArleighLynn of Owego is one courageous and kind-hearted little girl who will shave her head completely bald on Saturday March 15th at the Owego Elks Lodge #1039.

ArleighLynn's godmother Lacey Rathke couldn't shave her head for the event, so ArleighLynn jumped at the chance to take her spot.  What breaks my heart is that both other kids and adults have told ArlieghLynn that she's going to be ugly when she shaves her head. Cruel and completely unnecessary, especially in light of the fact ArleighLynn is doing something so extreme to support kids just like her fighting the fight of their lives. While the words, I'm sure have stung, ArleighLynn has squared her shoulders and will go through with shaving off her hair.

ArleighLynn's mom and dad have always taught their kids that different is beautiful and ArleighLynn's godmother Lacey says "I'm really glad that she's going to go through this experience, both the harsh and the kind words are only going to make her a stronger young lady. And she [ArleighLynn] wants the children who've lost their hair to cancer to know that they aren't alone in this fight, and to pass on the wisdom of different being beautiful."

Lacey Rathke
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Lacey's sister Elizabeth Siegard will also be shaving off all of her beautiful long hair. Elizabeth is the team leader of the group ArleighLynn is in called FloraPower. Elizabeth originally started the group because she just lost her grandmother to cancer.

Find out how you can be a hero for kids with cancer by participate in St. Baldrick’s Day here and if you’d like to stand behind ArleighLynn and her loved ones, you can do that here.

We took ArleighLynn's story to Facebook and asked people to stand tall behind her. Some of her supporter's comments are below. We'd love to read your comments too, so leave a comment on Facebook or in the comment box below this article.


Paula Decker- What real adult would tell a child they would be ugly if they shaved their head? Isn't that just like bullying? The very thing we are working to stop? What a wonderful, selfless human being this little girl is!


Matilda Evagelatos-Carbo- What a wonderful thing to do. Your family must be so proud of you. I don't know you but I thank you, as I have several friends who battle cancer. By the way, you don't need hair to see how beautiful a person is with a heart and FANTASTIC smile like yours. God Bless You. You really rock.


David Longabaugh-heard this on the radio this am I think it's awesome she's doing this anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool. She has a bigger heart than most people do.


SherryLyn Shamp- She is showing others "SOMETHING" they are clearly lacking in themselves!! And, she is going to PROVE it isn't always about looks!!


Pamela Bowers- I don't understand anyone telling another person they are ugly for any reason.......it is just HAIR, it is for a good cause and it will grow back. Go for it and have fun with it!


Marylynn Gladhill- What a wonderful little girl. Her heart is so loving and she will be a beautiful child with or without hair because her heart will shine through it.


Lisa Wilber- She is a beautiful soul, forget those rotten people!


Megan Obrien- People are just jealous because they could never have a heart like she does! Courageous beautiful young lady....


Angie Whitaker- ...How can anyone think this beautiful girl with a beautiful heart and soul could be ugly. People are so cruel.


Ruth Shoemaker- Such an angel so proud of her I have a daughter going though treatment for cancer.


Kristin Marotta Cimmino- That is so crazy!!! It's only hair and will grow back!! Haters be hating because they don't have the love and compassion that this little girl does.

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