Love Alicia Day

Two years ago, cousins Alicia Passmore and Kassy Williams opened a salon and clothing boutique, called Blush Hair and Makeup Lounge and Rose Ann Adoring Boutique on Main Street in Sand Springs. The boutique name is a moniker of the pair’s middle names. Since opening, the women have endured a temporary, mandated business closure during the outbreak of COVID-19 and, just a few weeks ago, Alicia received devastating, life-altering news.

In March, Alicia began experiencing pain in her knee, which she attributed to the industry she’s in and the physical demands it requires. But several weeks ago, her knee started to swell and doctors suspected a torn meniscus. After being prescribed crutches, undergoing extensive lab work, and having back-to-back hospital stays, Alicia was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is cancer of the bone marrow, and Alicia has up to 26 sessions of chemotherapy ahead of her. She has completed two treatments so far, and the medical bills are already mounting. Alicia has been unable to work for over two months, and though she has health insurance, the coverage just began so the deductible is very high.

Like the oncologists who wasted no time starting Alicia’s treatment, Alicia’s community also immediately plunged into action. Along with other business owners throughout Sand Springs, Alicia’s cousin Kassy made a plan to tangibly help Alicia so she can focus on her treatment. A community-wide fundraiser called Local Love Alicia Day, a raffle, a poker run, and a GoFundMe fundraiser have all been created to raise money to cover Alicia’s medical bills and cost-of-living expenses. through tears. “She gets hair products and other packages in the mail, and I just leave her stuff at her station because then it’s kinda like she’s here with me.”

At the salon, Kassy and the Blush Hair and Makeup Lounge stylists have been shuffling their calendars to accommodate Alicia’s clients, which Kassy says is an enormous privilege. “Our clients become our friends, and Alicia has a huge client following,” Kassy says. “Her [clientsturned-friends] check in every day and are always sending messages of support.”

“Everyone has been so supportive of Alicia and of our little business,” Kassy says, “and it means the world.”

The fundraising events were on September 19th and October 3rd, Kassy and her colleagues were amazed at the turn out for her cousin and friend.

“Alicia is the sweetest soul with a heart of gold,” Kassy says. “She would do anything for anybody, and she is so talented and so beautiful.”

Determined to ease some of Alicia’s financial burdens, Kassy is faithfully expecting that the community will serve as a pillar during this time and show up for Alicia exactly like they did when Kassy and Alicia opened the doors of their downtown salon and boutique.

“Alicia is not alone in her battle,” Kassy says. “This is one hundred percent a community effort �� she has an entire community behind her.”

GOFUNDME: To give directly, visit the GoFundMe set up for Alicia on behalf of Barbara Passmore, Alicia’s mother.