Community in Cambridge comes together for hair stylist diagnosed with cancer
A salon and spa in Cambridge hosted a special event on Sunday to raise funds for a woman known for her beautiful soul.
Mimada Beauty: Luxury Salon and Spa and cold capping rental company Cold Crowns came together to host what they called a “Blow-a-thon” fundraiser in support of Paula Kemp, a hair stylist recently diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer and stage two lymphoid cancer.
“She used to work here before she opened her own salon downtown,” co-owner of Mimada, Sabrina said.
“We thought we would all come together and provide services for a minimum donation and everybody had been so generous, giving more than the minimum donation to raise money to help with expenses for her and her son while she’s going through treatments.”
Employees from other salons were at the fundraiser, helping in any way they could.
For Kemp’s friend and business partner Catarina Carreiro, the support was overwhelming.
“The community has really supported her in every way that she needs. Which I know has been a huge weight off her shoulders. We’re so thankful,” Carreiro told CTV News Sunday afternoon.
Carreiro said it was actually one of the owners of Mimada who suggested the idea of a Blow-a-thon after Carreiro started up an online fundraiser.
“I had started up a GoFundMe for Paula. With Paula being self-employed, living alone with her son, obviously she needed compensation for her needing to take so much time off for treatment. With stage three, she knew it needed to happen ASAP. There was no planning or anything,” she explained.
“We’ve been in several different salons and made really great connections and relationships with the group, with the girls in the industry. So above all else, I’m so happy to see us all come together and do what needs to be done to support [Paula] in this time.”
Carreiro said Kemp is managing to keep a positive outlook throughout her ordeal and is taking it day-by-day.
Scrunchies of support
Along with the salon and spa services, a special scrunchie was on sale to support Kemp.
“Paula’s a hairdresser so we’re like, ‘Why not make a scrunchie specifically for her?’” Cold Crowns co-founder P.A. Belore said. “Originally we had an orange one and then we ran out of fabric because they sold out within less than 24 hours. So then we made pink ones for this event specifically.”
“If Paula was a scrunchie, this would be her,” Cold Crowns co-founder Ashley Joyes laughed.
“It is retro, it is vibing, it is vibrant like her personality. This is Paula in a scrunchie.”
The special scrunchies were sold throughout the event, but Cold Crowns also sells scrunchies online. They call the initiative “The Scrunchie Fund.” All proceeds from scrunchie sales until the end of the day Sunday will be donated to Kemp. After that, the money is used to help charities and non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting cancer patients.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto incident caught on video
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Who is Hope Hicks, longtime Trump aide who is testifying in N.Y. hush money case?
Hope Hicks, once a longtime trusted aide in Donald Trump’s inner circle, is testifying Friday in the New York hush money trial after being subpoenaed.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.