My name is Reid Smith. When I was 2-years old, I was diagnosed with stage three kidney cancer. I’m now 9-years cancer free.   

I don’t remember my early years, but I do remember as I got older, I rode a bike around the hospital to have fun. I also remember running from the doctors so they would play chase with me. Despite my treatments, I was able to laugh and make the best of my situation. 

Three summers ago, on my birthday, I had a tumor removed from my spine. Since I was in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), and couldn’t really move from my bed, they decorated my room and had a party.

After that, I decided for my birthday every year, I wanted to collect donations and gifts for other kids in the hospital. So far, I’ve raised over $1000 every year. The hospital asked me to be the Children’s Miracle Network Champion to bring awareness to sick kids.

There is also a thing I do for St. Baldrick’s. This is an event where hospitals, doctors, schools and fire departments come together and raise money for childhood cancer research. They start a team and everyone on that team puts an amount on their hair. Mine is usually around $3000.00.

If we meet our fundraising goal, we walk on stage and have our hair shaved off. The event in San Antonio raises hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

I’ve done this for eight years now and raised over $25,000 for childhood cancer research.