This summer the owners of The Canyon Salon in Westlake, CA transformed their stylish boutique salon into a spectacular celebration to honor the memory of Sharon Perry. Sharon lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2012 only a couple days before the first Style-A-Thon was held. This year her daughter Shannon, son Randy Newhart, and two nieces Christy Calfati & Nikki Corzine hosted the 2nd Annual Style-A-Thon with a deeply changed and equally passionate perspective.
The community poured in from babies on up to a 90 year old. Supporters made appointments for blow-drys, deep conditioning treatments, manicures, braids, haircuts, and much more. Nearly 400 people came through the doors eagerly anticipating appointments with stylists that would go above and beyond.
Baskets filled with expensive hair care items were displayed for raffle and the festivities included a photo booth, glitter tattoos and face paint for the kids. A DJ played tunes to energize everyone as they enjoyed an elaborate spread of food and beverages including a purple martini named “The Sharontini.” A special treat was in store for one local woman who was selected as “Queen for the Day”. She had been the caregiver for her husband who is currently battling cancer. Event organizer Ingrid Jensen said “The community was really able to get involved, all in the name of someone they knew and loved. She was absolutely touched and delighted to be pampered all day! She had a facial, her makeup done, a manicure, and her hair magnificently styled. It was a pretty powerful event!”
The Canyon Salon has become a place where staff and clientele continue to support the family’s efforts to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer. “This event has been so successful two years running now. Not only is it a success in terms of the money raised but also for the growing knowledge our community has of this horrible disease. It is an avenue for loved ones to put thoughts to action”, says Shannon. Canyon Salon staff make the event possible by donating their time at no cost and they’ve continued the tradition of raising funds as TEAM SHARON at the LA Cancer Challenge.
Shannon declared, “The Style-A-Thon will run every year for years to come. A generous friend of my mother’s paid $1000 for his haircut! Any proceeds raised in honor of my mother, Sharon Perry, will always go to the Hirshberg Foundation. The group behind the cause is such a dynamic, beautiful, warm and dedicated group of people. My mother and I shared wonderful moments with the people of the foundation. That is priceless.”