14 THE QUEENS COURIER • OCTOBER 17, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
(Courtesy of Community Board 9)
Three Richmond Hill sisters
honored for hair donation
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Th ree sisters in Richmond Hill
donated their hair to make wigs for
children suff ering from hair loss as
they battle cancer and alopecia.
Councilwoman Adrienne Adams,
who represents southeast Queens,
and Community Board 9 members,
joined the sisters — Safi a
Mohamed, 8; Saudia Mohamed,
12; and Stacy Sanichara, 26 — at
Aracelis Unisex Salon, at 109-19
Atlantic Ave. on Oct. 4.
Th e haircut by Aracelis Unisex
Salon was free of charge and donated
to Erna Blackman, co-founder
of Butterfl ies By Blaq Incorporated
(BBI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization
established in 2012 in New
York City. Butterfl ies BBI provides
free hair replacements and solutions
to children (18 and under)
who are experiencing hair loss due
to cancer treatment therapies, alopecia
and other medical conditions.
“We are so grateful that the
young ladies donated over 13 inches
of hair each to our organization,”
said Blackman. “Hair donations
like theirs are processed by
our partner, Hairline Illusions, and
made into wigs that we give to girls
in need, for free. Gift s like theirs
help us help others and for that we
are forever grateful.”
Adams said the girls’ donation
will help Butterfl ies BBI give second
life to children who lost hope
and feel depressed because they
have lost their hair.
“I am so impressed that these
young women would choose to give
up something so personal, especially
for people they don’t really
know,” Adams said. “I am proud to
support Butterfl ies BBI as they help
to make children suff ering from
hair loss look and feel great again.”
It was an honor for Community
Board 9 to be involved in the hair
donation event, said Board Chair
Kenichi Wilson.
“Sadly, many children suff er hair
loss as they fi ercely battle against
cancer or those dealing with the
eff ects of alopecia,” Wilson said.
“Receiving a wig made with real
hair can boost a child’s confi dence
and help increase their self-esteem
as they deal with these diseases.”
Sherry Algredo, education chair
of Community Board 9, commended
the sisters and their parents for
their thoughtful contribution.
“Witnessing these three thoughtful
sisters, Saudia, Safi a and Stacy,
donate their hair is shining example
of the compassion that exists within
our community,” Algredo said.
“We thank the parents Rayman
and Nasalene for allowing the
girls to participate and raising caring
children. I want to also thank
Councilwoman Adrienne Adams
for her kindness and recognizing
both the girls and Ms. Blackman
for their philanthropic eff orts.”
Courtesy of Community Board 9
(From l. to r.) - Sherry Algredo, Community Board 9 Education Chair; Saudia Mohamed; Safi a Mohamed; Stacy Sanichara; Olga Agramante, owner of Aracelis Unisex Salon; Councilwoman Adrienne Adams;
Kenichi Wilson, Community Board 9 chairman; and Erna Blackman, co-founder of Butterfl ies BBI.
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