In a powerful display of community spirit, the team at local salon Hairbenders is coming together to organize a fundraiser for a client and friend who has fallen on hard times.
Emilyy Winslow, a 36-year-old Airdrie resident has been battling stage 4 uterine leiomyosarcoma for the last three years.
Jamie Morros, a senior stylist at Hairbenders, says the connection between Morros and Winslow spans nearly a decade and began at the salon when Winslow came in for a cut and colour.
“Emilyy is just the best,” says Morros. “You can tell within minutes of meeting Em that she is someone special. She is bright, she is vivid, and her beautiful laugh, (that you can hear a city block away) lights up a room.”
After a hysterectomy at 33, two rounds of chemo and multiple surgeries, her extremely rare and aggressive cancer is no longer responding to traditional treatments. Winslow recently started her third round of chemotherapy. This new chemotherapy will be six rounds and cost up to $60,000.
“It is not covered by Alberta Health, meaning after an already emotionally and financially draining last three years, this cost will be completely out-of-pocket for her and her family,” says Morros.
Beyond her infectious presence, Winslow is known for her warm, giving heart and an unparalleled work ethic, balanced by a deep love for her family and hobbies. When she is not busy caring for others or working, Winslow spends time with her husband, Jesse, and her beloved animals, Iris and Poppy.
“I feel so grateful and loved,” says Winslow.
“Hairbenders is such an incredible group of women who always support women and that doesn’t stop when things get rough. That’s when they really stepped up and I’m just so unbelievably grateful!”
The Haircut-a-thon will take place at the salon on June 28 from 9 am to 5 pm and will include cuts by donation ($25 minimum), a silent auction, raffle and refreshments. Silent auction items include more than $2,500 worth of hair product and tools, photography sessions, cheerleading packages, Stampeders tickets, local art, golf package, gift cards, and gift baskets.
“This fundraiser will not only help pay for the treatment, but it also helps relieve a lot of the financial burden since I haven’t been able to work since December,” adds Winslow.
“Being sick is expensive and this makes it a little bit easier to live my life without any financial restrictions.”
Hairbenders is accepting donations of silent auctions. If you are interested in contributing, email jamiemorros@gmail.com. Monetary donations can also be made at gofundme.com.
