SOUTH FORSYTH — Amy Rodriguez hates cancer.

Kids should only worry about birthday celebrations with cake, ice cream, balloons and gifts, she said, yet cancer steals away their childhood and rocks their families.

The Vickery Creek Elementary School special education teacher did her part to combat childhood cancer by honoring Blue Skies Ministries, an organization that takes kids with cancer and their families on beach trips at no cost.

“As a friend, teacher and community member, I have seen the awful effects of this beast,” she said.

At least two Vickery Creek students have been affected by cancer recently. Lily Anderson lost her fight, and Payton Greene is still battling.

But that’s not all Rodriguez did.

After holding a fundraiser at the school in south Forsyth and surpassing her goal to raise $10,050 for cancer research, Rodriguez shaved her head.

“On April 26, I turned 50,” she said, “and have decided to step way outside my comfort zone and shave my head in honor of the pediatric cancer community.”