(IOWA) WCMH– An Iowa woman shaved her head three months before her wedding to support her best friend who was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease.
Alycia Kuberski didn’t think about how her wedding photos were going to look, but instead focused on her best friend Gina Gregoire Helton.
Helton was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease in 2014. It’s a rare illness that was caused by a cancerous carcinoid tumor in her left lung. In January of 2015, doctor’s removed Helton’s left lung and found the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
Four months later she went through chemotherapy and radiation. The treatments caused Helton to lose her hair in clumps. She decided to take control of her body and throw a head shaving party.
Helton did not expect her best friend to shave her head right before her wedding.
“It meant so much to me that my friend would be willing to shave her head for me, especially 3 months before her wedding. I tried to talk her out of it, but she insisted, stating ‘It’s just hair, it is nothing compared to what you have been through,’ Gina Gregoire Helton said.
Helton said this brave and selfless move helped get the word out about Cushing’s disease.
“Her shaving her head did bring awareness because people would ask and she was able to share my story and bring awareness to Cushing’s disease, which is something I am very passionate about,” Helton said.
Helton has been cancer and Cushing’s disease-free since August.
From http://nbc4i.com/2015/11/23/woman-shaves-head-before-wedding-to-support-best-friend/
Filed under: Cancer, Cushing's, Treatments | Tagged: Cancer, carcinoid, Cushing's Disease, lung cancer, lymph nodes |
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