Stephanie Huffman, a cancer survivor, and her sister Melanie Marbut recently sacrificed their tresses to “Locks of Love,” a public nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 who suffer from long-term medical hair loss resulting from any diagnosis.
“It’s hair; it grows back,” said Huffman, who has had her own experiences with hair loss.
“I had been considering cutting my hair since turning 40 a few months ago. This was a perfect time to do it,” Marbut said.
Huffman has battled cancer since 2001 when she discovered a lump in her breast.
Her doctor told her at the time they would “watch it” and that she was entirely too young, 29 at the time, to have breast cancer. Because Stephanie is an LVN, she pursued other diagnoses and opinions. She knew something was amiss with her body.
Aggressive treatment against cancer began for her in 2002. She endured a bi-lateral mastectomy, went through the radical treatments and hoped and prayed she was finished with the disease.
That was not to be the end of her battle. In 2003, the breast cancer surfaced again. She underwent the gamut of treatments once more, praying that this time her fight would end and that she would be cancer free.
But in 2004, she was diagnosed with multiple lesions in the brain, bones, liver and left ovary. More surgeries and treatments followed, and the battle became more potent.
The chemotherapy she underwent caused her to lose her hair completely more than once.
It seemed as though just as her hair would grow into the long, flowing curls that almost all of her life had adorned her head, another battle with cancer would begin.
Huffman became an integral part of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, an event that honors survivors and remembers those lost to cancer. She has served on the general committee since the event began in Johnson County in 2003, and she shared duties as general co-chairwoman in 2006 and 2007, despite suffering through a number of treatments during that period.
In 2006, she attended the American Cancer Society celebration on the Hill in Washington D.C. as an ambassador from the 17th Congressional District of Texas to advocate legislation intended to aid the fight against cancer.
In 2008, Huffman rejected her doctor’s advice for another surgery, and is confined to her home under the care of Hospice. She has expressed anxiety that her refusal will be seen as giving up, but she continues to battle the disease and hopes, along with her family and friends, that a new treatment or cure will emerge that will allow her to overcome the disease.
In the meantime, Huffman donated her hair to make her daily hygiene routine a little easier. Marbut donated her hair as an act of love and support for her sister.
As a result some young person battling a devastating disease will wear a wig composed of Huffman’s or Marbut’s “Locks of Love.”
Local News
Cancer survivor donates hair to ‘Locks of Love’
- Local News
-
-
May/June 2012 Community Life magazine
The May/June 2012 edition of Community Life magazine is available for online viewing. Click here to view.
-
Primary election today
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator. Primary election day hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must vote at their precinct location. For information visit the Johnson County Election Office’s website at www.JohnsonCountyElections.com or call 817-556-6197.
-
Officials, residents remember those who gave it all
A robust breeze alleviated the heat somewhat Monday morning at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, but also played pandemonium with the setting up of a memorial table for POW and MIA veterans. Wind tipped a vase holding a single rose shattering it on the pavement. A hastily retrieved replacement held out but at one point toppled causing water to spill inches shy of the public announcement speaker.
-
A mother’s love, one day at a time
To everyone else, it was a regular Thursday. It was almost the weekend, almost summer break, time for vacation or time with family.
-
Candidates vie for Pct. 2, 3 seats
County voters will weigh in on three Johnson County Commissioners Court seats up for election on Tuesday. In addition to the five-candidate Precinct 1 race, voters living in precincts 2 and 3 will also vote for the commissioner of their choice.
-
Primary could decide constables
Ten candidates, all Republican, compete in their four respective precincts in the May 29 primary. With no Democratic opponents to face in November’s general election, the primary should decide the winner of all but one possible race.
-
Voters urged to check for possible precinct changes
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator.
-
Early voting numbers well short of ’08
Early voting turnout in Johnson County’s Democratic and Republican primaries totaled 3,914 as of Friday morning. That total includes 309 votes in the Democratic Primary and 3,605 in the Republican Primary.
-
Yellow Jackets headed to finals
GRAHAM — The Wichita Falls Rider pitching staff swam with sharks for most of five innings Friday, avoiding all but a few love taps and playful nips from Cleburne batters.
-
Changes at Splash Station
Splash Station officially opens for the summer season this weekend, and those who frequented the park in years past may notice some modifications.
- More Local News Headlines
-
