Some people go bald because of genetics. Some go bald to be stylish. Others go bald to save money on combs and shampoo.
A group of Addison firefighters went bald last week to support one of their own as his father bravely battles a rare form of skin cancer.
‘It really hits home just how close you are to have your co-workers do such a thing unprompted,? said Sgt. Eric Harvester, a paid-on-call firefighter/EMT with the department since 2000. ‘It makes you realize you’re a part of something pretty special.?
Harvester’s father, Jerry Harvester, a longtime Addison resident, was diagnosed in spring 2005 with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare disease in which malignant cells are found on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles.
Merkel cell carcinoma grows rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body such as nearby lymph nodes, liver, bones, lungs and brain, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The cancer appears as firm, painless, shiny lumps of skin. These lumps or tumors can be red, pink or blue in color and vary in size from less than a quarter of an inch to more than two inches.
Harvester’s father underwent surgery last year to have the cancer removed.
‘We thought everything was clear until last month,? he said. ‘Now, it’s back with a vengeance.?
Harvester’s dad is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments and losing his hair as a result.
‘Originally, my plan was to do it myself,? said Harvester of the head-shaving idea. ‘It’s just a way of showing my support.?
When Harvester mentioned what he was going to do to his fellow firefighters, Chief George Spencer got the idea to make it a department-wide show of ‘camaraderie and support?
‘Families that go through cancer together really need all the support they can get,? Spencer said. ‘I just thought it was a good way for us to show Eric and his family that his extended family, the fire department, was willing to do just about anything that we needed to do to help him out.?
Spencer hopes looking at ‘the pictures of all us cue-balls? will help Harvester and his family ‘remember that we’re all in the fight together.?
Piles of hair covered the floor of Fire Station #2 in Lakeville last Wednesday night as the bay area was transformed into a makeshift barbershop ? three chairs, no waiting.
There was no shortage of jokes or laughter as the firefighters gleefully shaved each other’s heads as if preparing for a Teli Savalas look-a-like convention.
Harvester was overwhelmed and grateful to his fellow firefighters for this gesture of love and solidarity.
‘On an everyday basis, you come in here and you know that they will risk their lives for you. That’s part of the everyday gig,? he said. ‘But you don’t really expect them to go above and beyond with something like this.?
‘Cancer’s an ugly disease and I can’t imagine going through it alone,? Harvester said. ‘When you have the support of friends and family, that’s what gets you through I think.?
‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my co-workers who are supporting me on this. It’s a difficult road and I can’t imagine doing it without them.?