Rugby’s Randi Heisler has stood by and watched her 19-month-old son Aspen go through several rounds of chemotherapy and undergo two surgeries to remove tumors on his spine – a result of his stage three cancer, neuroblastoma.

She’s amazed how even the smallest of us exhibit such courage.

And while Aspen’s ordeal is far from over, Randi and her family are not only committed to his cancer fight, but that of others.

Randi will be in Los Angeles this Tuesday, Sept. 7 to participate in the “46 Mommas Shave for the Brave” event.

The event is to raise awareness and money for cancer research. Randi will shave her head along with other mothers who have children with cancer on Sept. 7.

The money raised will go to the St. Baldricks’s Foundation for childhood cancer research. As of last week, over $100,000 had been raised with an ambitious goal of $1 million.

The locks the women donate will go to make wigs for children with cancer. During Aspen’s cancer treatment, he’s also lost his hair a few times.

Heisler admists she is a little apprehensive about shaving her head, but knows it’s for a wonderful cause. “I haven’t had my hair cut for a long time, so it’s pretty long…longer than I’m used to having it,’ she said.

On Friday, Sept. 10, the participants are also invited to take part in “Stand Up to Cancer” – a broadcast which will air on major television networks later that night.

“I remember seeing it last year on a number of networks and not really knowing much about it,’ Heisler recalls. “And here a year later it’s something I’ll be part of.

Aspen was diagnosed with cancer in February and has been undergoing treatment in hospitals in both Fargo and Minneapolis. In addition to his cancer, he may also be inflicted with the genetic disorder mucopolysaccaridosis (MPS).

The past several months have been challenging for Randi and her husband, Levi, who have another son, Macen. Family members have been by Aspen’s side.

Randi said you don’t really realize how precious life is until you have a young child with cancer. It also makes you more aware of the struggles other families who also have children suffering from health complications.

The community has also rallied around the family, holding benefits.

For more on the “46 Mommas Shave for the Brave” event, and to make a donation, log on to www.stbaldricks.org/participants/randiheisler