Brotherhood of Bald People Worldwide

A few months ago, Brotherhood Member Rich G. presented Brotherhood T-shirts to friends whose son Paul was fighting cancer. On January 12, 2010, Paul lost his battle with Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family for their terrible loss. Today, we remember Paul for the remarkable child he was. This information is taken from a note sent to the Brotherhood a while back:

"Paul Meligan is an adorable, sweet 6 year old boy. He loves playing outside, cars, video games, baseball, and cartoons. Paulie likes going to the movies and playing with his friends. Until recently, he was just like any other little boy. He was recently diagnosed with JMML. JMML(Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia ) is a very rare form of leukemia, and only accounts for 1-2% of all diagnosies. Unlike most forms of leukemias, JMML can only be cured with a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.

We saw his regular physician on April 8th because he was experiencing stomach aches, and his belly was distended. After examining him she ordered x-rays. We weren't sure what we were seeing with the x-ray so she sent us to our local hospital for a CTscan. On the scan we saw that his spleen was enlarged and he had enlarged lymphnodes in his intestines. The doctor sent us to AFCH(American Family Children's Hospital) in Madison, Wisconsin. We knew by the second day that Paul had leukemia, but with his rare from it took 6 days to diagnose it.

Since then he has endured a huge number of tests, blood and platelet transfusions, and two rounds of chemo therapy. He will have to return to the hospital for a bone marrow transplant. Our family was tested to see if any of us could be a match, and Paul's younger brother David is an identical match to Paul. David will donate his bone marrow to help save his brother. Even then his battle may be far from over. The prognosis for JMML is terrible, with a relapse rate as high as 50%. I try not to focus on the numbers and statistics, as I want as positive an outlook as I can manage. Relapse rate does go down considerably after the 1 year mark, and we are very hopeful that will be the case for us."

For more information about JMML, please visit
http://www.jmmlfoundation.org

The Mission Director, his son Tyris, and family friend Alex get a picture taken with Corinne Doherty, Miss Renegade Classics @ Sturgis 2009:

We get a lot of hits on the website from people searching keywords like "Women's opinions of bald men". Well, here's a pic of Mike with a couple of ladies at the St. Paul Saints game last summer. Looks like the ladies are liking his bald head just fine:

The new logo t-shirts are a favorite around town. The front side of the T's show off the Brotherhood logo while the back side says: "Finally I found a Hairstyle I Like". Here's a pic of the Mission Director sporting the new look.

Click Here to find the New Logo T's in the Online Store

Mike will be set up at the "Back to the 50's" Classic Car Show at the MN State Fairgrounds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday - June 19, 20 &21st. The booth will feature sales of our new car design t-shirt "A Head Above the Rest". For those of you who are planning to be there, make sure to stop by and say "Hi!" to the Mission Director! I'll be taking pictures and video to post on the website next week. In the meantime, here's a little clip I found on YouTube from last years show:

Here is the newest T-shirt design. The shirts will be available for purchase in the online store on June 22, 2009:

A special thank you goes out to Noah's family for allowing us to post these pictures. Noah recently went through medical treatments for cancer. A friend of the family purchased Brotherhood t-shirts for Noah and his dad (who shaved his head in support of his son). We've heard that Noah "loves that shirt and always gets compliments on it--people love it, too!":

The Brotherhood donates t-shirts to Children's Hospital, but the goal is to find a company that will sponsor the line so the shirts can be given out to children all over the country.

Vicki Neis, a child life specialist at Children's Hospital, said the Brotherhood t-shirts help children with cancer feel accepted. "People are concerned when they see a child with no hair, but if they're wearing the T-shirt it says, 'I do know I'm bald, but you don't have to worry,' " Neis said.

From "The Cueball Chronicles" by Suzy Hansen:

Hansen asks: Who discriminates more, men or women?

Kuntzman answers: Very glad you asked me that. There are academic studies that deal with this, and I updated them for my book as well. Men are much more likely to think of bald men in negative terms than women are.

Hansen: Do bald men know that?

Kuntzmann: No, that's the problem. The results are quite shocking and should hearten bald men around the world. I'm trying desperately - and hopefully with this interview - to get these results out because not enough bald men know. I've sent it to the Associated press but for some reason they just didn't have the guts to prove it.

As he celebrates the one-year anniversary of his first head shave, Brotherhood Member Dominic Perino shares the changes that have happened to him since making that decision:

Well, today is my one year anniversary since I first decided to shave my head. For all of those out there on the fence, I have decided to list everything that has changed as a result of shaving...if it get's too long, sorry.

1. Not worried about any weather condition, wind, or wearing a hat that would mess my hair up.

2. I have ridden lots of rollercoasters/amusment park stuff with my wife--don't have to worry about the hair.

3. Gone to the beach all last summer, swimming, pool parties etc and never worried about my hair.

4. Learned to ride and bought a mototcycle--I can ride anytime, anywhere without worrying about messing my hair up.

5. Have EMCEE'd numerous functions and don't have to worry if "can they tell how bad my hair is thinning", which did affect my performance in the past--people have told me "WOW, that was awesome--you were never like that before you shaved your head".

6. People look into my eyes when they talk to me, and I know whether they are being "real" or not.

7. Got some cool nicknames like "Skeletor" and "Captain America"

8. Get much more sleep than I used to--shaving it every day is EASY, and takes much less time.

MANSFIELD -- Julia Crittendon has taken the old saying about making lemonade out of lemons to heart. Or rather she's taken it to her head, choosing to use the condition that caused her hair to fall out as an avenue to help others. 

The former Mansfield resident recently self published "Metamorphosis: Inspirational Stories of Women Living with Alopecia." The book charts the experiences of 22 women as they dealt with hair loss and what it's like to be a bald woman. 

"People are still hiding from it," Crittendon said, noting when she was diagnosed she found no literature or any support other than from her family. 

"These women are standing up to what was meant to destroy and depress them and are turning it into positive productive energy so that the next woman who loses her 'crown and glory' won't fall victim to what society deems as 'normal.' " 

Two of the women explained their own feelings about living with alopecia to the News Journal via e-mail."I feel honored to have contributed to a book that may inspire and help all who are lucky enough to come across it," Jenn Pendergrast said. "I am totally bald and have finally accepted it." 

A Fort Lauderdale, Fla., resident, she was diagnosed in March 2006. 

She said the book provided a kind of therapy for her. 

"It was actually the first time I put my story into words and I cried the entire time I was writing," Pendergrast, 31, said. "When I was done writing, I felt so good. It felt awesome to put all that had happened into words for others to read."

Finish Article Here:

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902090303

Another recommended head shave video:

We received this note today from Julia Crittendon. Julia recently authored a book about women living with Alopecia:

My name is Julia Crittendon and I just recently completed my book Metamorphosis "Inspirational Stories of Women Living with Alopecia" (www.lulu.com/content/5361121) and I wanted to let you know that I placed your website URL as a Resource in the back of my book. A resource for other Alopecians or Cancer patients to go to for more inspiration and options.

You are an Inspiration!

I Hope that you are bringing the New Year in in an AWESOME way.

Take Care!

"Bold Beauty is Being Beautifully You"

www.bbibby.org

Book Description:

Down the path from wanting to commit suicide to finally accepting themselves for who they are, these women made the choice to no longer be victims and suffer in silence! They are instead bringing awareness to what affects 1 of every 4 women and they wish showcase to the world the beautiful side of this physical and emotional shifting condition. That “Beautiful” side being self-acceptance, self-awareness and being that voice of inspiration to others with the same condition and to inspire those who struggle with embracing any type of changes going on in their lives. Metamorphosis charts memorable moments and beautiful images of twenty-two women who are dealing with hair loss and being bald women in this society.

To purchase this book, click here:   www.lulu.com/content/5361121

Last summer, the Brotherhood raised money doing "headshaves & hair cuts for cancer" during "Take Me Out to the Bald Game" with the St. Paul Saints. The donation was sent to "Children's Cancer Research Fund". We are proud to sponsor an organization that helps families like this one: