A Cancer-Fighting Haircut Makes Senior Project a Family Affair

While most students develop their senior projects in a rushed frenzy junior year, senior Monica Pulido birthed her topic four years earlier, from an unlikely source: her mother’s cancer treatment.

Diagnosed with breast cancer when Monica, now 18, was a freshman, Karina Pulido took her diagnosis in stride. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy without complaint and only hesitated slightly to come to terms with losing her hair, which doctors told her would happen after only one treatment.

“At first, I was so attached to my hair – you never think about going short,” said Karina. “I was panicking.”

Luckily, a doctor pointed her towards the American Cancer Society, where staffers helped her learn to care for her delicate skin, pencil on a pair of eyebrows and, most importantly, set her up with her pick from a room full of wigs – all colors, all lengths.

The wigs, explains Karina, were a game-changer. "My girls were so excited, like 'Mom: you can be a redhead today,” she said. Karina was relieved.

The day stuck with Monica, who started growing out her pixie cut, hoping to donate the lengths to make a wig for cancer patients. 

Now, four years later, Monica boasts a full mane, until Saturday – when she’ll chop it off, as part of her senior project, and donate the locks to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, the organization that crafted the wigs her mom used during her cancer treatment.

She’s enlisted others to the cause: 16 classmates and family members are signed up for the Saturday fundraiser, which lasts from 9 a.m. – noon at Sonoma Valley High School.

Hairstylists – including Monique Javier and Jerica Tercero from Unique Salon, Daniella from Sunset Salon and Ruth Hernandez from E&R Salon – will be on hand to craft donors new, shorter haircuts.

(Want to sign up? If you have eight or more inches of hair to donate call Monica at 707 508-8752 or e-mail.)

Monica’s sisters are making the day a family affair: Angelica, 23, is signed up as one of the stylists, while Erica, 14, and Karina, 25, are signed up to donate hair.

Vice Principal Kathleen Summers, who is mentoring Monica’s project, says the thoughtful organization of the project is indicative of Monica’s spirit.

She's very persistent, but she's so kind,” said Summers, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. “I think that 's why people want to help because of the way that she elicits the help: You just can't say no to her, because she's so organized, she's thought of everything and she's just flowing through.”

Monica, who plans on studying dentistry at Washington State University next year, holds no qualms about chopping off her Rapunzel-length locks – she’s planning on a short A-line bob.

And Karina couldn’t be prouder of her daughter’s desire to help people.

"I’m happy that she’s not thinking of herself – it’s something that really works to help others,” she said.

Monica's fundraiser runs on Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. - noon at the Sonoma Valley High School gym. To sign up, call Monica at 707 -508-8752, or e-mail her at monicapulido94@yahoo.com. Donations must be a minimum of eight-inches.