For the last month or so, things haven’t been the same at Statements Hair Salon.

Lisa Stewart is still there snipping and styling hair for a close-knit clientele. But Stewart is alone in the salon at 2500 W. Sixth St., missing the shop’s other half.

Kelly Hale, who owns the shop with Stewart, has battled cancer since late January. It’s a tough type to beat, Stewart said, and now her time has been split between keeping the business going and helping her best friend struggle through the most difficult moments of her life.

“She’s an amazing lady,” Stewart said. “She’s got a long battle ahead of her.”

To help with that battle – including a pile of medical bills Hale’s family wasn’t prepared for – the local hairstyling community will come together this week to raise money for Hale’s care.

A group of 16 local salons will donate most, if not all, of Thursday’s profits toward Hale’s care. Some salons will open early or keep the scissors going late, trying to gather as much cash as possible to help their ill colleague.

Lisa Stewart, co-owner of Statements Hair Salon, 2500 W. Sixth St., cuts the hair of Stacee Wiggins on Tuesday at the salon.

“It’s a fellow worker. I figured we could help out any way we can,” said Cora Carey, owner of Head Rush Studio, 622 W. 12th St.

Carey heard about the idea from a product distributor, Doug Holen, and felt a need to help another salon owner.

Holen, who knew Hale and Stewart through his business, learned of Hale’s illness last month.

For years, Holen has been involved with similar fundraisers, usually to benefit breast cancer research or other causes. But when he heard about Hale, he thought the fundraiser could help pay for her costly treatments.

So he began asking around at the network of shops he delivers to, gauging the desire to help a peer.

The response, he said, was overwhelming.

“Everyone said, ‘Let’s do something,'” Holen said.

Those wanting to help the cause can try to get a Thursday appointment with any of the participating salons, Holen said, or leave donations to send to Hale.

Hairstylists, he said, spend all day every day making people feel better about themselves.

“Knowing that made it obvious to me that they would want to touch one of their own,” Holen said.