PORT ANGELES — Most people who have a full head of hair take it for granted.
When Betty Graf, 51, a receptionist at Pacific Office Equipment in Port Angeles, began chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer in September, she started losing her hair.
Coworker Derrick Dickinson didn’t want her to go through the shedding process alone.
In an act of hairstyle solidarity on Wednesday, 25 people, mostly Pacific Office Equipment employees, went under the electric clippers and emerged bald.
“To put it simply, we just got ‘er done,” Dickinson said.
Graf called the gesture “amazing.”
“I’m just overwhelmed,” she said.
‘She’s the heart’
Dickinson said the reason for the show of support was because of Graf’s friendly and helpful attitude toward coworkers and customers.
“She’s the heart of Pacific Office Equipment,” he said.
There were only a handful of employees who didn’t take part in the sheering.
“A couple of older guys, scared of losing the rest,” Dickinson said.
Three women, in addition to Graf, went through with the shaving as well, a sacrifice that impressed Graf.
“I couldn’t believe they were going to do it,” she said.
Graf had a mastectomy Aug. 31 and started chemotherapy Sept. 22.
“Actually, it’s been going pretty good,” Graf said.
At times she feels nauseous and has a headache, but the side effects of the treatment have not been too severe, she said.
“Hopefully, this is the only time,” Graf said.
