Pink Ribbon Of The Month, July: Mel Silverman

Salon L'Etoile: Alternative Hair, Amazing Heart

Nineteen years ago, Mel Silverman, Co-owner of Salon L'Etoile & Spa in Jenkintown, PA, sat in his breakfast room making thousands of pink ribbons for distribution at the first Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure.®  At this year's Race, Mel watched with pride as one of his clients took her place in the breast cancer survivors Parade of Pink, not hiding her head bald from treatment, but proudly displaying her pink wig, made possible by Mel.


In the years between that first Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure and the Race this past May, Silverman has brought his unique brand of activism in the breast cancer movement to his clients, his employees, the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the thousands of people they serve. Most recently, at a young "seventy something," Silverman introduced an innovative Alternative Hair department (shown above) to Salon L'Etoile & Spa, inspired by the needs of women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

"I wouldn't have been able to get through my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment without the confidence, fun and security Mel's pink wig gave me," said Lisa Woods, Philadelphia resident. "Mel didn't just give me an alternative look to 'bald,' he gave me compassion and an opportunity to express myself while fighting a very tough uphill battle."

The newly opened Salon L'Etoile & Spa Alternative Hair department is the brainchild of Silverman, who, having been active as a volunteer in the fight against breast cancer for nearly twenty years, had a more in-depth understanding of the emotions women experience when faced with losing their hair to chemotherapy or radiation. He opened the department to provide these women with something meaningful, to thank his customers and to show women that Salon L'Etoile & Spa truly cares. Looking ahead, he intends to contribute proceeds from the Alternative Hair department to support the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate.

"Thank goodness, I never had breast cancer strike any member of my family, which I know is rare," said Silverman. "But in my business and various volunteer efforts I've seen how important looking good is to feeling good - especially among cancer patients. Our Alternative Hair service is about providing much more than a pretty wig… it is about providing security, comfort and pride during a time that can be full of pain and darkness."

The Salon L'Etoile & Spa Alternative Hair department specializes in customizing wigs to fit the personality of the customer - from natural-hair pieces to synthetics that can be curled or straightened to "suit the mood." Not just for breast cancer patients, the stylists make an effort to understand the special needs of all women facing hair loss to maintain their womanly looks.  

"When I saw Lisa on Race day proudly wearing her pink wig, and then saw her family and friends in their pink wigs to show her their support… well, you simply can't ask for greater career satisfaction than that," said Silverman.

Silverman's activism with the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate earned him their special Community Activism award, as well as accolades from the Affiliate staff and fellow volunteers. Among many other duties, for nineteen years Silverman has organized, staffed and run the water station at the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure, assuring more than 40,000 people crossing the finish line have water.  In addition, he volunteers countless hours providing hair cuts for children with cancer as well as their parents who spend weeks with them in the hospital. He also started a volunteer program to help children with physical deformities find their special beauty through hair and makeup styling.

"Mel has been an invaluable friend to me and thousands of women," said Elaine I. Grobman, Executive Director of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate. "He possesses a passion for the cure that is truly rare and is already serving as a legacy for generations to follow.  It is people like Mel that assure that one day we will all be living in a world without breast cancer.

With locations in Jenkintown, PA and Manayunk, PA, more information on Salon L'Etoile & Spa is available at www.salonletoile.com.

 

Pictured above (center) Lisa Woods proudly displays her "Mel Masterpiece" pink wig.  Also picture are 2009-2010 Komen Philadelphia Race chairs Rachel Cicalese (Left) and Lorelei McGlade.