Cancer Survivor Beauty & Support Day at Yaffa Beauty by Rica

The day started with a trip to Danbury, CT to Rica's alma mater, The Paul Mitchell School of Danbury. Ashli Albert, one of Rica's instructors, was aware of her efforts to provide support, care and services to the cancer community, and invited her to speak at Tuesday's "Pow Wow," or morning gathering, in advance of their participation in Cancer Survivor Beauty & Support Day on campus (taking place on Thursday, 6/8). All the Future Professionals gathered as Rica told them her story - from a corporate project manager, with no real health concerns, to a cancer-fighting bad-ass to her current status as a salon owner. Moved and inspired, Future Professionals took time after the morning meeting to let Rica know that her words motivated them further to take extra time and care on Thursday, and hopefully, for the rest of their career.

After, Rica jumped back into the swing of things, providing complimentary makeup, hair and nail services to cancer warriors. In between, Rica had a returning customer, this time bringing her lovely daughter, for a haircut. At the end of the appointment, her customer handed Rica a box - a wig. She had purchased the wig for her own use, but decided she wouldn't use it, but she remembered Rica's own fight with cancer, and that she provided support to others in the fight. One lucky recipient will get a beautiful, human hair wig, that will be custom fitted for them, thanks to Rica's generous client.

Supporting the cancer community doesn't end today. It continues. Through Rica's program, Beauty Through Cancer, she hopes to train dozens, if not hundreds, salon professionals to be able to give care and support to clients and fighters across the country. If you know of anyone who might be interested in training, please let us know. Fight on and LIVESTRONG.

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