Salon raises money for breast cancer research

STAFFORD — Hairstylists and employees from Studio G Salon in North Stafford attracted some attention over the weekend wearing pink T-shirts that read, “Save the Boobies.”

The shirts drew smiles and even honking car horns as they advertised and handed out fliers in anticipation for a Sunday event to be held at the hair salon, tucked away at 85 Mine Road.

Normally closed on Sundays, the salon opened on this special day because the stylists wanted to dedicate their time to raising money for breast cancer research — a cause close to their hearts.

The disease has touched some of the employees’ families. For others, they may have known someone in life at more of a distance with the disease.

All of the stylists held one thing in common though — they care.

Led my stylist Fallon O’Leary, a group of stylists at the salon, including salon owner Gina Sanchez, and her business partner Maryann Rodriguez, made the event happen, and united for a fundraising event that would help their chosen charity.

“This was all voluntary on the girls’part,” said Rodriguez. “…Everyone knows someone who knows someone who is going through breast cancer.”

Along with the three above, Jessica Francis, Kathryn Keefer, Ashley Ramirez and Meagan Upshaw, an assistant, rounded out the group.

So, from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, the salon charged $40 for women's haircuts and $20 for men's. Children were also welcome to receive cuts. The proceeds
will go to the National Breast Cancer Society for research toward eradicating breast cancer.

Following the event, O'Leary reported that the stylists raised more than $600 that day, plus what will come in over the next three weeks. The team plans to keep an open jar for donations for the next three weeks.

Studio G Salon, a modern salon for hair and nails, opened in December 2006. Owner Gina Sanchez is a graduate of North Stafford High School.

Madeline Bruneau, 11, of Stafford, came into the salon Sunday with her mother, and Sanchez cut her hair.

“It turned out wonderful,” said Madeline of the haircut. “Very beautiful.”

Madeline, whose mother is a client at Studio G, said her mom told her to get her hair cut there, and she was “glad to help out” for the event.
It was her first time, but Madeline said that she would definitely be back.

“It was really nice,” she said.

The breast cancer event idea was O'Leary's, so stylists at the salon put her in charge.

O'Leary said her mother has had two breast cancer scares. She also has a client who lost all of her hair due to breast cancer treatments.

“We see it in the salon,” said O'Leary, who spoke coloring the client's hair for the first time since she lost her hair. The woman had to have a mastectomy, she said.

O'Leary said that it's the first time the salon is doing anything of this kind, but it will make giving to charity an annual event. It may not always be breast cancer, but they will always want to reach out and give their time, she said.

“We just want to do something,” said O'Leary. “We did this because we're a family. Volunteering our time meant a lot to us. If [breast cancer] affected one of us I would hope someone else would do this for us…”

Mia Maria Alexander and Angela Pacella, both of Stafford, came to the salon with their friend Jennifer Wilson on Sunday.

Wilson and Alexander are regular clients at Studio G.

“We wanted to support Gina and all of the girls because it's such a wonderful thing,” said Alexander. “It's just a little something we can do. It was kind of a
grass-roots effort at Studio G. It made me feel pampered and pretty but also gave me a chance to give back. We absolutely had to go and be supportive.”

“I went for girlfriend time and to support the event,” said Pacella, who had her hair cut into a bob.
Pacella said her great aunt had breast cancer and was in remission for a while.

Reaching out and doing something for breast cancer says a lot, Pacella noted.

“You don't know who will end up will end up with it later in life,” she said.

For more information on Studio G Salon, or to donate to the cause, call (540) 288-1681 or visit studioghairsalon.com.