Hair Salon Raises Money for Cancer Patients

The following is a press release from the Chester County Hospital.

Headquarters Hair Salon owner, Sara Grudzinski, and her staff hold a raffle for charity annually. For Sara, her staff and her clients, it's a fun way to give back to the community. Businesses in the Parkway Shopping Center, and friends and clients of Headquarters donate artwork, gift certificates and products to be raffled. With donations and raffles sales, Headquarters was able to donate more than $1,000 to SHINE.

SHINE is a volunteer organization dedicated to patient care. With the motto "Our Community, Our Patients, Our Responsibility," the group works with the Medical Staff of The Chester County Hospital and Health System to find ways to improve outcomes and ease stress for local patients living with cancer.

SHINE championed the position of a Care Coordinator - a social worker dedicated to helping patients navigate treatment and access grants to help pay for treatment. Money raised at the gala is also used for Anti-Emetics (anti-nausea) Drugs for those who can't afford them. Some insurance companies won't reimburse patients for these drugs because they only treat symptoms of the disease and not the disease itself.

For those who cannot get to and from their appointments, SHINE will reimburse patients for transportation fees. "The last thing a patient going through chemotherapy wants to do is to ride two or three different buses to get to their treatment, especially if they aren't feeling well. SHINE's transportation assistance program has increased the number of patients who are receiving their treatments on time and certainly has helped to preserve the dignity of our patients," says Oncologist David Grossman, MD.

Another simple but extremely effective SHINE program is the Patient Pad-folio. Cancer Care Coordinator Dawn Clancy, Licensed Oncology Social Worker, says, "We recognized that some patients were missing their treatments because they were finding it difficult to keep track of their medical appointments on top of their family and work responsibilities." The Patient Pad-folio, sponsored by ENDO Pharmaceuticals, keeps all of the patient's appointments, contact information, test results, and resources in one, easy-to-access binder.

SHINE Chair Stephanie Challis says, "We are cooperatively working with the Medical Staff and Hospital Administration to figure out what we can do to give every patient an edge in their battle with this disease. We are lucky to live in a community where wonderful companies, like Headquarters, and individuals are willing to step up and make a difference."

SHINE also provides help with basic necessities, utility bills, medical supply assistance, breast and skin cancer screenings, emotional support, and physical therapy assistance in order to help the patient confront the challenges of cancer with dignity, determination and hope.

If you would like to help patients living with cancer in Chester County by volunteering for or donating to SHINE, please call The Chester County Hospital Foundation at 610.431.5329.

Special Thanks to the Headquarters Hair Salon Raffle Donors:
Erica Brown, James Lee Burk, Dennis Hagerty, Beru Revue, John Grecia Band, Chesco Pops, Vectrodisc, Terry and Paul Klinefelter, Brandywine Woodworks, Calista Grand Salon and Spa, Colonial Village, Mickey DeMatteis, Gadaleto's Seafood, Headquarters, High Street Caffe, Joya Boutique, Parkway Cleaners, Parkway Hardware, Parkway UPS, Seltzer and Stocker Dentistry, Stone Dragon Forge, Sweet Jazmine's, Taylor's Music.