Paul Mitchell Educator & Alum Jojo Needs Our Help!
Donation protected
Dear hair industry friends and family,
I went to cosmetology school years ago because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Like most of you, I have worked for and with companies in the industry that spend a majority of their time and efforts giving back to our world and our communities through fundraising, cut-a-thons, bake sales and more. It is because of this that I find this industry to be one of the most rewarding to be a part of.
It is with sadness in my heart that the fundraising that we enjoy to do so much, is needed not for an organization this time, or for someone we will never meet or ever know, but for one too close to home, one of our very own.
I met Jojo in 2009 when working for Paul Mitchell the School, Tyson’s Corner. She was a visionary future professional and a memorable one at that. We knew that she would bring the much needed talent and love to the industry that we had so desperately needed. She said yes to everything, volunteering her time for our school and our community not ever knowing that one day she would face a huge hardship and battle of her own.
I was honored to be reunited with Jojo back in 2016 when she made the big decision to return to Paul Mitchell in hopes of making a difference in the lives of future stylists as a learning leader.
Faced with the loss of both parents in a 2-year time span, Jojo continued to show up and be present for her students, her team and the industry. Our culture at Paul Mitchell has taught us that “when people come first, success will follow,” and Jojo having lived by this, used her pain as a motivation to continue to do good for those around her.
On April 29th of this year, Johari at the age of 31, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and it has spread to her lymph nodes. After multiple tests, and multiple meetings with a cancer specialist team, they are confident that Jojo can beat this! Though optimistic and in good spirits, Jojo’s fight is going to be a hard one. Her treatment plan will begin with months of chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy and then radiation if all goes as planned.
Prior to even beginning treatment, Jojo has a stack of medical bills that continue to grow. Her specialists predict that she will miss months of work at the very least, leaving her without any income, and in fear of a lifelong financial battle after beating cancer.
Let us come together as the best industry in the world to try and relieve some of Jojo’s financial burden, so she can focus on healing and coming out of this stronger than she could have ever imagined.
May we come together once more to do what we do best! Let us show Jojo that life is worth living. Let us remind her that this fight is worth fighting, and let us make it known that we will be here to lift her up in her time of need.
Knowing how times have been tough for us all, especially this past year, I ask that we give what we can. Whether it be love, or money or well wishes or prayers, I know Jojo will be so grateful for it all.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller
I went to cosmetology school years ago because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Like most of you, I have worked for and with companies in the industry that spend a majority of their time and efforts giving back to our world and our communities through fundraising, cut-a-thons, bake sales and more. It is because of this that I find this industry to be one of the most rewarding to be a part of.
It is with sadness in my heart that the fundraising that we enjoy to do so much, is needed not for an organization this time, or for someone we will never meet or ever know, but for one too close to home, one of our very own.
I met Jojo in 2009 when working for Paul Mitchell the School, Tyson’s Corner. She was a visionary future professional and a memorable one at that. We knew that she would bring the much needed talent and love to the industry that we had so desperately needed. She said yes to everything, volunteering her time for our school and our community not ever knowing that one day she would face a huge hardship and battle of her own.
I was honored to be reunited with Jojo back in 2016 when she made the big decision to return to Paul Mitchell in hopes of making a difference in the lives of future stylists as a learning leader.
Faced with the loss of both parents in a 2-year time span, Jojo continued to show up and be present for her students, her team and the industry. Our culture at Paul Mitchell has taught us that “when people come first, success will follow,” and Jojo having lived by this, used her pain as a motivation to continue to do good for those around her.
On April 29th of this year, Johari at the age of 31, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and it has spread to her lymph nodes. After multiple tests, and multiple meetings with a cancer specialist team, they are confident that Jojo can beat this! Though optimistic and in good spirits, Jojo’s fight is going to be a hard one. Her treatment plan will begin with months of chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy and then radiation if all goes as planned.
Prior to even beginning treatment, Jojo has a stack of medical bills that continue to grow. Her specialists predict that she will miss months of work at the very least, leaving her without any income, and in fear of a lifelong financial battle after beating cancer.
Let us come together as the best industry in the world to try and relieve some of Jojo’s financial burden, so she can focus on healing and coming out of this stronger than she could have ever imagined.
May we come together once more to do what we do best! Let us show Jojo that life is worth living. Let us remind her that this fight is worth fighting, and let us make it known that we will be here to lift her up in her time of need.
Knowing how times have been tough for us all, especially this past year, I ask that we give what we can. Whether it be love, or money or well wishes or prayers, I know Jojo will be so grateful for it all.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller
Organizer and beneficiary
Brian Whalen
Organizer
District Heights, MD
Johari Jefferson
Beneficiary