
Kaylee Severin, left, joins Christine Rinas at the Cut for a Cause event at Valley Hair Artistry Monday.
Community efforts to support Kaylee Severin have produced exceptional results.
The 23-year-old Pembroke mother of two young daughters has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and when one area woman heard about her plight, she jumped into action.
At just 23 years old, Severin could be “any one of our babies,” says Christine Rinas.
Rinas pledged to shave her head if $5,000 was raised. And then, when her hairdresser Riley Thatcher learned of the campaign, she not only agreed to do the head shaving but launched her own fundraising efforts.
Fast forward to Monday, June 16, when Rinas, with help from Thatcher, owner of Valley Hair Artistry, reached the goal and shaved her head. Thatcher boosted the efforts by hosting a day of haircuts by donation. Some 35 haircuts were completed and $1,503.90 raised.
Thatcher praised Rinas’ commitment to the cause.
Thatcher is pleased with the community support for Kaylee, and said there are still ways to donate.
Rinas is extremely grateful for all the community support. At Monday’s event she provided an update on progress at that time.
There is also a GoFundMe through which the public can donate to Kaylee.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)