LYNDHURST, Ohio – Local hair salons are going pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and some are going to cut you a deal – literally.
Bangs Salon in Lyndhurst is celebrating its first Pink Friday tomorrow.
The salon is one of 24 participating in “Look Your Best, Check your Breast,” a campaign to raise breast cancer awareness. Their goal is to get more women signed up for free annual mammograms and to perform monthly breast exams. As an added bonus, the salon is also offering $10 haircuts throughout the month of October.
“There’s always somebody who’s afraid to get that mammogram because they’re afraid of what might happen,” said Bangs Salon owner Edith Wheeler,” But, sometimes when other people see that other people are getting involved, it may make them feel a little more comfortable, but if we can save a life, it’s wonderful.”
Wheeler’s mother, Julie Donaldson, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. She had surgery to remove cancer later that year. Now in her 60’s, Donaldson remains cancer free.
“Breast cancer is not a death sentence and for me it was life changing,” Donaldson said. “All I can say is if you are diagnosed, get treatment, spread the word, get mammograms. I’m grateful that my daughter is taking a leadership role to get cancer awareness out. I just hope that soon, they’ll soon have a cure to eradicate this horrible disease.
According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life. It’s estimated that more than 450,000 people around the world die from breast cancer each year.
In the past four years, the campaign has helped more than 700 local women sign up for free mammograms.
The program will last throughout the month of October in partnership with Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services and the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute.
Health experts say the key to preventing the disease is early detection.
“The unique aspect of this program is that we want women to get the best care possible as soon as possible,” said Angela Bailey, administrative program coordinator for the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. “The biggest thing is that sometimes in the African American community, people may not talk to their family members, but they’ll take to their hair stylist.”
“We started this program, it was for disadvantaged populations, but the face of the disadvantaged population is now black, white, purple, with the economy,” Bailey continues. “That’s the important part. We’re now seeing women from all backgrounds who need the medical care. Our goal is to reach all ethnicities and all cultures.”