Tucked away in Alamo Courtyard is Rhea Bianco’s hidden gem, Celebration Salon in Alamo, California. In November 2011, a couple weeks after the grand opening of Bianco’s salon, a 48-year old single mother of two, Jan Ostrander, walked through its doors looking for a wig. Ostrander had been battling brain cancer since 2004.
“I remember, the incisions on her head were still healing,” says Bianco, “we talked for a while and I just gave her the wig. I wanted to do something nice for her.”
Bianco has been working in the hair industry for over 20 years. That moment sparked the idea for Celebration’s program to support the 40 percent of women in America who suffer from hair loss. Once a month, Celebration Salon sponsors a wig and one permanent make-up reconstruction to a special woman in need. All they ask is that she shares her story.
Nearly twelve million Americans with a history of cancer were alive in January 2008. Some were cancer free, while others still had evidence of cancer and may have been undergoing treatment. Twenty-percent of the women Celebration serve struggle with hair loss in relation to a variety of medical conditions, including chemo, autoimmune, and thyroid disease. Many have been diagnosed with cancer. Chemotherapy-induced hair loss occurs with an estimated incidence of 65 percent.
“Some of these women come in not feeling well, shaking; the residual effects of Chemo on their faces. All you want is for them to get better and live,” says Bianco. “Just to see the smiles on their faces, to help them through the process from shaving heads to cutting wigs and coloring and even after chemo, transitioning to the use of hair extensions and pieces.” Bianco hopes to fill her walls with 150 more wigs and a few to spare.
If you or someone you know is suffering from alopecia due to chemotherapy or other medical conditions, please email your story to hair2dye4@gmail.com to be considered for the salon’s program.
On February 6th at 3:30 p.m. Celebration will host an event at their salon to support the fight against breast cancer. All proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Enjoy food, drinks, and auction for a cause. Items up for bid include haircuts, hair coloring, and gift certificates courtesy of Celebration Salon. Various vendors including Curlisto, Hairuwear, Great Lengths, Tony Odisho, and DreamCatchers will donate other auctions items.
Celebration Salon
www.hair2dye4.me, (925) 314-1760
Christine Joy Ferrer is the creator and founder of eyesopenedblog.co