Each year, The Alternative Hair Show, founded by hairdresser Tony Rizzo, pays for families who have had recent experience of leukaemia and lymphoma, to have a very memorable weekend in Euro Disney. The annual Alternative Hair trip to Disneyland is made possible due to the generosity of hairdressers.
The trip gives families precious time away from hospitals and treatments, which dominate their day-to-day lives back home. This year we accompanied families who have children with leukaemia, and also those with parents suffering from blood cancers, as well as families who have tragically lost a mother or father to the disease.
It was heart-warming to see the families come together and form new friendships. All said they found it a relief to share their experiences with people in similar situations.
“The Kids’ Party is always so special. It’s a hugely emotional experience but it’s also very enjoyable. When you see all the happy faces, it makes everything worthwhile! It also brings home how important it is to continue supporting Alternative Hair.”
Anthony Mascolo, President of Alternative Hair.
Clare Starck, mother of Tom,13, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in January 2009 summed up the feelings of all the families: “It gave us something to look forward to and get excited about, and being there truly matched our expectations. We laughed as a family, which has been a rarity. The weekend was just brilliant.”
“Thank you so much for allowing my family to be a part of the trip to Disney this year and for making it so unbelievably special. We all had an amazing time and it has given us the lift that we needed” Michael Wicks, father of Andrew who is currently undergoing treatment for leukaemia
“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Alternative Hair for sending my family out to Euro Disney, the trip was amazing and just to see the smiling faces of both of my children was beyond words and we cannot say thank you enough.”
Diana, Patrick, Ryan and Jessica Baldock
There was a genuine sense of enjoyment and gratitude from all the families who really made an effort to interact and show their appreciation to everybody involved in making this trip possible. Receiving thanks is consoling, but seeing the tears of joy of one mother who said it had been a dream come true for her little girl who was diagnosed last year, and without Alternative Hair it would never have been possible, makes it all so worthwhile.
With special thanks to:
TIGI Bed Head, Aston and Fincher, Schwarzkopf Professional,
Pat and Anthony Mascolo, Mauro Carraro,
Joshua Galvin and Douglas Osborne.
