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:

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.

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

Congratulations to Brotherhood Member Dominic Perino who has been selected for Chief Master Sergeant (E-9). This is the last stripe he could make, and it represents the top 1% of the enlisted corps. Only 520 Air Force wide were selected this year, and his line number is 314.

As Dominic says: "A big bad bald Chief!! Hoooah!"

A clip from Bald Night in July with the St. Paul Saints. During the video, you'll hear the announcer interviewing Mike Ubl, Brotherhood Mission Director. Enjoy!

The following article was submitted to us by new Brotherhood member Chris Willie. It may be old news, but it's new to us here at the Brotherhood:

TWO LOOK-ALIKES BETTER THAN ONE 

By: Martiga Lohn, News-Tribune       August 6, 1999

Jesse the Guv and Jesse the Bod faced off Thursday afternoon at Spirit Valley Days in West Duluth.

Julie Olson, Mission Coordinator

Tone Fly, DJ for B96 FM Radio (Minneapolis, MN) throws the first pitch at "Take Me Out to the Bald Game" July 26th, 2008. Click on this link and check it out: Does Tone Throw a Strike?

Julie Olson, Mission Coordinator

"Take Me Out to the Bald Game"

Game Night with the St. Paul Saints Saturday, July 26th 2008, St. Paul, MN

Order tickets online @ www.saintsgroups.com (password: bbp)

Sgt. Dominic Perino

Brotherhood member, Sgt. Dominic Perino and several others worked to repair damage done by vandals to a memorial honoring troops killed while overseas:

http://cbs3.com/video/?id=57826@kyw.dayport.com

Julie Olson, Mission Coordinator

Anyone can order a ticket - even if they can't show; the proceeds will go towards the Chris Mitchell Memorial Fund. If anyone has auction items that they'd like to donate for the silent auction - shaving items, collectibles, sports stuff, tickets, music, etc., there is also a donation site at www.258heaven.org

http://www.capturevideo.net/chris.wmv

http://www.capturevideo.net/brother.wmv

http://www.capturevideo.net/flynn.wmv