A hair stylist has come up with a cutting-edge way to raise funds for the family of a cancer patient.

Ginny Jessey, owner of Ginny’s Salon on Lover’s Lane in Paget, said she and her team were planning to donate a day’s worth of tips each for Jenna Maxfield Martin.

And the stylists hope every hairdresser on the Island will join them to help ease the financial burden on Jenna and her husband, who have five-year-old twins.

The Royal Gazette reported on Tuesday about Jenna’s brave battle with ovarian cancer and how friends had been fundraising to help cover her expenses.

“We’ve been thinking about doing something for ages after I first heard about Jenna from another hairdresser,” said Ms Jessey, a mother of two from Warwick. “I’ve never met her but some of the girls I work with know her. It’s a horrible situation.

“Hairdressers don’t get paid a salary, we’re on commission, so she can’t be bringing in any money.

“We’re donating our tips for a day and want this to go Island-wide so we bring in a lot of money for Jenna and her family.

“I’ve proposed a Saturday because it’s the busiest day with the most money.

“From just our salon it won’t be a huge amount, but I hope every hairdresser joins us — together it would be a lot more.

“If we get maybe $100 each on a Saturday ... Island-wide that would be a lot.”

Ms Jessey, who has been in Bermuda for 20 years, launched her salon at the start of the year.

Any other stylist who wishes to donate tips from any day during this month — but especially on a busy Saturday — is asked to contact her by September 30.

She can be reached at the salon on 236-4684 or through the salon’s Facebook Page.

“All the salon staff at Ginny’s wanted to do this,” Ms Jessey said. “Christmas is coming up and it’s a difficult enough time on your finances without this.”

Ovarian cancer is fast-growing and often goes undetected until it is in an advanced stage.

Typically there are no symptoms until the disease has progressed, spreading from the ovaries to the pelvis and abdomen.

Symptoms are often also attributed to other diseases or conditions.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynaecologic cancers and only 15 percent of cases are detected at the earliest “and most curable” stage, according to Gerri Landy, education officer at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.

“It is important to get the word out about the symptoms of ovarian cancer, which can be fairly vague, so in many cases women don’t want to pursue seeing their physicians about them because the symptoms can be attributed to other ailments,” she said.

“For this reason, only 15 percent of ovarian cancer cases are detected at the earliest and most curable stage.

“We have to break the silence about ovarian cancer, learn to listen to our bodies and seek a physician’s advice if symptoms persist for more than two weeks because early detection is the key to survival.”

Symptoms include abdominal pain, blotting, pain in the pelvic area, and loss of appetite.

Women suffering from any of these symptoms should see a doctor or a gynaecologist for a pelvic exam or ultrasound.

This month is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and a string of events are taking place to educate the public and raise funds.

These include today’s Turn the Town Teal day in which organisations are urged to wear teal to denim day and donate the funds to Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.

Families and friends are encouraged to host teal-themed events tomorrow, such a movie or spa night, with donations also sent to the Centre. Post photos to OCAbda@gmail.com so they can be shared on the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Bermuda website.

Sunday is the Wake Up and Move for Ovarian Cancer Awareness initiative, with residents urged to wear teal and go do something active — the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Bermuda team will be out taking photos and videos of people in action wearing teal.

An information forum about the disease featuring a panel discussion is scheduled for 6pm on Tuesday, with the location to be confirmed.

A supper and dancing cruise aboard the MV Longtail, with part of the proceeds going to Jenna, will be held next Saturday from 7-10pm and tickets cost $60, while Thursday, September 25, features aqua aerobics at the National Sports Centre at 6pm and costs $20.

The annual luncheon will be at 1.30pm at Coco Reef Resort on Sunday, September 28, with tickets costing $80.

For tickets or more information about any of the events, e-mail OCAbda@gmail.com or visit ovariancancerawareness.webs.com

To donate to Jenna’s family, visit her You Giving page at www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/respect-the-o-kick-the-c/216511

You can read Jenna’s blog at www.respecttheo.blogspot.com