Local survivors enjoy day at the salon

Stylists from all over Hartselle teamed up April 7 to provide nine women with a day they will never forget. Nine cancer survivors went to Fifty West to enjoy lunch and be pampered before modeling in photoshoots.

Marsha Borden, owner of Fifty West, said she came up with the idea for the photoshoot after a similar shoot earlier this year with high school students. She knew she wanted to showcase cancer survivors’ strength and courage. “The word ‘modeling’ to me can mean a lot of different things,” Borden said. “I don’t think it necessarily has to be about appearance. That is what I like about it – bringing different things to model in front of the camera, whether it’s courage or strength. That is what radiates off these people.”

The women were first provided lunch by Fairview: The Grace Place. During lunch they were able to get to know each other and share their stories. “They were all saying they don’t really talk about it because it is painful, but then they were talking about it with each other. That was awesome, and I was happy they felt like they could talk to each other,” Borden said.

After lunch they were treated to hair and makeup provided by stylists from salons all over Hartselle, including Phillip Bailey from Fresh on Main Salon, Hali Rhea Gurley from South of Main Salon, Ashley Pfeiffer from Posh Salon, Audrey McCaleb from Posh Salon and Casey Gill to help make the day special.

“This one was more about the models themselves. We have a lot of different talented outlets that came together to make it a special event for them,” Borden said.

Although Borden said she has never had a family member go through cancer, she felt like it was important to share their stories. She said it also provided the women with a chance to meet others who understand what they have been through. “It went very, very well, and I think they made some long-lasting friendships,” Borden said.

Borden said one of her favorite moments was when the women all got together with matching T-shirts made by Michelle Holmes. “We had a girl make T-shirts for the models, and they said, ‘Not today cancer,’ and when they all put those shirts on and took the picture, that was a really cool moment,” Borden said.

In the future, Borden said she hopes to be able to build on the event to pamper other women. “I mean, it was really busy and crazy in there, but it was fun,” she said. “Everyone was walking around talking. It was kind of crazy, but I would love to add to it.”