LOCKS OF LOVE

BAXTER - It will grow back, Rachael Hanson told herself as she sat in the stylist chair at Salon El Rio in Baxter Monday, about to have 13 inches of curly, brown hair cut away in one thick ponytail.

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But that didn't stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks or those welling in her husband Jeremy's eyes, the first time he's become emotional since she was diagnosed with breast cancer June 1 - as they watched stylist Krystal Eberly cut seven years' worth of long tresses from his wife's head.

Only 32, Hanson was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Stage 3 breast cancer June 1, underwent a double mastectomy June 12 and an additional surgery to remove lymph nodes June 29. Today she will begin 18 weeks of chemotherapy, a process that likely will cause her hair to fall out within the next two weeks.

Salon El Rio stylist Krystal Eberly (left) cut 13 inches of Rachael Hanson's hair Monday, which Hanson is donating to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Hanson, 32, was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and begins chemotherapy treatments today. Her hair likely will fall out within the next two weeks. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist

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On Monday, the Hansons, who live in Brainerd, decided they would rather donate her long hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss, than watch her hair fall out in clumps.

It was her way of fighting back against the disease on her own terms. But it still wasn't easy seeing her lose so much hair. Her long locks were one of her most prized possessions.

"When chemo comes, I won't have a choice," Rachael said of losing her hair. "I had two choices, watch 2 feet of my hair fall off or cut it off."

"Today is the hardest day, emotionally," said Jeremy Hanson. He has tried to remain strong for his wife. "I've been holding everything in and focusing on getting her back and healthy. Everything else is second. You never think it's going to happen to you. Never."

The Hansons have been married five years. She has been working for the past year at Care Veterinary Clinic in Ironton but 13 years before that she worked with at-risk teens at Timber Bay Camp. Her love of helping children is the primary reason she wanted to donate her hair, she said. Jeremy is self-employed.

"I always thought my life was called to be a life of service," said Hanson, her voice wavering. "My hair will grow back but there are kids whose hair won't ever grow back. I just figure there's always someone who has it worse than I do."

While Hanson is battling an aggressive form of cancer, she's determined to beat the disease with the support of her family and friends. She has already ordered her wig for when her hair falls out.

As she loses her hair to chemotherapy, Jeremy plans to shave his head, too.

"I'm going to shave my head so she doesn't have to do this alone," he said.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.