In recognition of Cancer Awareness Month, all students and staff at Paul Mitchell the School, 3810 Sullivan Street offered free facials and haircuts to cancer patients.

“More than 100 Paul Mitchell Schools nationwide participated in this awesome event,” admissions leader Whitney Whited said. “It’s a part of our culture … to teach our future professionals to not only be great hairstylists and successful in the beauty industry but also be well-rounded human beings by giving back their community.”

The school was excited for the chance to honor cancer survivors, Whited said.

Their complimentary services included cut and style, shampoo and style, scalp treatment, facial and make-up application. “We enjoyed the opportunity to transform the survivors with the services that we offered,” Whited said.

Among the steps in a facial, a favorite component is the massage. “If you don’t fall asleep during a facial, it wasn’t done right,” she said. “We did have ‘sleepers’ in the facial room.”

Paul Mitchell students have their own personal stories of loved one’s battles with cancer. “As a company, this is a cause we’re very enthusiastic to be involved with,” Whited said. “Our co-founder Paul Mitchell passed away from pancreatic cancer in the late 1980s.”

The cancer survivors were very grateful, “but not as grateful as we were to have the chance for them to come in and share their victory over cancer with us,” she said. “It’s people like them that remind us and our future professionals why we are blessed to be part of the Paul Mitchell family.”

In other community outreach, the school/salon participated in Decatur and Huntsville’s Relay for Life, The Hairbus (free haircuts for tornado victims in local devastated areas) and Ann Bowler Day with Madison Manor, among others.

“Our ‘FUNraising’ season is February through April when, nationwide, Paul Mitchell schools concentrate on giving back through supporting various charities,” Whited said.

Currently, the school has 69 students. Weekly, an average of 150 service guests uses the salon.

For more information, call 256-464-8886 or visit Facebook/PaulMitchelltheSchoolHuntsville.