The 2017 HAIRraising Campaign to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital is scheduled for Sunday, May 21 and “big-hearted” salons across the U.S. are signing up, inspired by the idea that “the next big breakthrough in pediatric cardiology can start in your salon.”

HAIRraising, founded in 2009 by beauty industry legends and long-time business partners John Frieda and Gail Federici (CEO, Color Wow), is a charitable initiative that brings together the salon and hair care industries to help support the #1 pediatric hospital and research facility in the United States.

Their flagship fundraiser is the annual HAIRraising Campaign, a designated day when dozens of salons open their hearts and their doors, offering discounted cuts and fun activities, with all proceeds benefiting Boston Children’s Hospital.

To date, HAIRraising has raised over one million dollars for Boston Children’s. The goal for 2017 is to raise $300,000 through corporate sponsorships and the generosity of “big hearted” salons that participate, in so many creative ways.

“We are all set up to support any initiatives, big and small, that salons undertake to help us with HAIRraising,” says Federici, who has seen the one-day event morph into a bigger, broader campaign through the enthusiasm and creativity of salons.

While most salons choose to host a one-day HAIRraising Cut-a-thon on the “official date” (in order to capitalize on all the pre-event publicity and free collateral materials) others participate with longer term initiatives, like month-long raffles or a changing menu of discounted services, with all proceeds dedicated to Boston Children’s Hospital’s Heart Center. Some salons simply ask their clients to “add a dollar” to their payment for an on-the-spot donation.

“I am amazed and honored with all the ways HAIRraising has grown from a one-day event to a multi-faceted movement,” says Federici. “We are so grateful for all levels of involvement, and our staff is ready, willing and able to help salons create custom HAIRraising events that will work best for their locale, schedule and client base. We have no shortage of ideas or energy!”

Gail Federici’s inspiring philanthropic passion stems from her own life-changing experience with Boston Children’s Hospital. As a toddler, her daughter underwent critical heart surgery using ground-breaking procedures, with life-altering results.

"When you have a sick child, it feels like you have no control," Federici says. "The one thing you can control is finding the best doctors and placing your faith in them. Boston Children’s is a global epicenter, home to the best medical minds, treatment, technologies, research and resources. We want to do everything we can to give other sick children access to this amazing hospital, to bring hope and healing to them and to their families."

Federici, who sits on Boston Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees, refers to HAIRraising as her “work of heart.”

HAIRRAISING’S DEDICATED BOARD OF “BIG-HEARTED SALONS” INCLUDES:

• Grettacole

• Jade Salon

• Dellaria Salons

• Blo Blow Dry Bar – South End, Boston

• The Belgrade Group: James Joseph Salon

• Green Tangerine Spa & Salon

• Lord’s & Lady’s Hair Salon

• Nicholas Michaels Spa

• Stilisti

• Salon Capri

• Kenneth Wildes Salon

• Salon Eva Michelle

To learn more about HAIRraising and to sign up to participate, visit hairraising.org.