Thank you for visiting ChildhoodCancerSociety.org!

My name is Tommy Head and I am the Founder of Childhood Cancer Society, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. From a young age I have felt a strong sense of purpose and it is my pleasure to share this with you in the following paragraphs.

At the age of seven, Fate gave me what I believe was my first test in destiny. One day, I began bruising very easily. My arms, shins and legs all started to develop bruises without any clear source of injury. After a battery of tests, I was diagnosed with a severely low platelet count, which is indicative of leukemia. For several months my platelet count was watched. As it continued to plummet I was unable to participate in many activities that other kids my age enjoyed. Doctors thought that I might have leukemia, but after a series of tests and weekly blood-work we discovered that I had ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) which simply stated, is an unknown reason for the platelet count to drop. Although thankful that I did not have leukemia, my family’s worries were not put to rest. With no known treatment, my parents and I felt helpless. Given this new health issue my activities were severely limited, which would be difficult for any seven year old kid. Luckily, I have great parents who have supported me in everything that I do. I believe this support was a major contributing factor in my recovery.

From the age of seven until about twelve I made regular visits to Hackensack Hospital to get blood-work, and would see many of the pediatric oncology patients and their families. These kids were my age (some even younger) and were fighting for their lives. Seeing the test of faith that these families endured made me mature in ways that are difficult to articulate. I watched fathers shaving their heads for their four year old sons and mothers weeping privately so as to keep a brave face for their child. Needless to say, emotions ran high, and the impact of these experiences continues to influence my perspective today.

Although I struggled with ITP, I continued going to school, eventually played limited sports again, and found myself interested in acting. Since my sports were limited acting was an excellent outlet for me to express myself and to further expand upon my already highly developed imagination. I began by going to a comedy camp one summer, followed by a drama camp the next year. The following year I landed a part in a local play.  It was there that I met people who put me in touch with an acting management company. I’ve been signed with them since I was twelve and have done numerous commercials, educational videos, some daytime drama shows, and am a member of SAG and AFTRA. My parents were always honest with me about the money I made from acting (which is not typical of many parents in the business) and told me to save the money until I had a true need to use it. I knew that one day I would use this money to help people.

After my first commercial, I donated the money that I earned from acting to Tomorrows Children in Hackensack, NJ and purchased video games for the patients at the center. I remembered that when I was a kid and need to make regular hospital visits at the height of my illness, I always looked forward to getting a toy on the way home (usually an action figure). I hoped to give other patients at the hospital who were less fortunate than I was the same sense of positive anticipation. Many of the families I saw were severely impacted by their child’s struggle with cancer, and suffered financially due to medical costs. At the time, I remembered wanting my donation to help in a way that would truly mean something to the patients. The best way that I knew how to make that impact was to distract them from their suffering, and offer them the simple joy of video games. After this first donation when I was just twelve years old, I knew that I would be doing more in the future.
For no apparent reason, my platelet count eventually surged above the critical level and is now well within the normal range. Given what I felt was a second chance from Fate, I decided to make a difference. Children are diagnosed with cancer all too frequently. Often times their parents are not able to afford proper medical care, and sometimes even the basic necessities their child deserves. I decided to make it my mission to see that these children receive proper care and are provided with accommodations to make their struggle with cancer a tolerable one. In February of 2006, I founded Childhood Cancer Society, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to directly helping families afflicted with childhood cancer.

Since its inception I have raised thousands of dollars and helped dozens of pediatric oncology patients. It is my ambition to expand this mission across the country by the end of this year and touch the lives of as many families facing this struggle as I can. To achieve this goal, I have written a children’s book using key elements from my childhood to effectively raise additional funds for my organization and to serve as a source of inspiration for children who are suffering. The book is in the final stages of publishing and 100% of the proceeds will benefit families afflicted with childhood cancer. Included in the book is an excerpt about Childhood Cancer Society and the cause that we are fighting for. Additionally, I will be donating a copy of this inspirational story to every major pediatric oncology facility in the country so that all families in need will know of our mission. My goal is to use the sales of this book, online and in stores, to supplement our regular donation base. These funds will be allocated to families who need help in meeting their children’s needs.

It seems like just yesterday that my hematologist was giving my family news that would forever change our lives for the worse. Today I am Founder of Childhood Cancer Society; a professional actor/author; a NYU Stern Graduate; a friend and loved one to many; and I’m just getting started. It is my primary ambition to touch the lives of as many people as possible and to show those who are struggling that some things cannot be quantified, and the power of hope is one of those things.

Thank you for your support. Together, we can truly make a difference in the lives of these kids.


Sincerely,
Tommy


Thomas M. Head
Childhood Cancer Society Founder
189 Berdan Ave #221
Wayne, NJ 07470