Kasho Shears, a division of KAI/Universal Group, has partnered with Redken and The Salon Professional Academy Franchise, a group of privately-owned cosmetology training centers, to support The American Cancer Society with a recent donation of $12,000 to the society for cancer research.

The amount was made possible through a 2010 promotion by Kasho. The company created 400 pink versions of its popular folding razor that were sold at all Salon Professional Academy Franchise locations. Kasho pledged to contribute $30 from the sale of each razor to benefit cancer patient services.

The success of the promotion resulted in the $12,000 donation that was presented to Steven M. Derks, CEO of the Illinois Division of the American Cancer Society, at a gathering in Chicago on March 15. The funds will benefit the Illinois Division's Patient Navigation Services program.
Attending the check presentation were Toku Ishizaki, vice president of sales, and Gary Cogan, director of marketing, for KAI/Universal Group/Kasho Shears; Shane Bailey Krier, senior vice president of student placement and products, Michael Krier, senior vice president of business operations and design, and Sonja Plunkett, senior vice president of education and training for The Salon Professional Academy Franchise, and Darci Ludwig, director of school development for Redken.

"This donation is the culmination of a fantastic partnership between Kasho Shears, Redken and The Salon Professional Academy Franchise," said Ishizaki.

"We were very pleased with the response to this program from the schools. It was a huge hit with our students, said Shane Bailey Krier. "They were able to get a unique version of Kasho's folding razor at a great price, while also supporting a great cause."

The Illinois Division's Patient Navigation Services has assisted more than 120,000 cancer patients and caregivers in Illinois.
"With the steadfast support of friends like KAI/Universal Group, The Salon Professional Academy Franchise and Redken, we have worked to transform Patient Navigation Service from a vision to a reality," said Derks. Visit kasho-usa.com.

From left: Shane Bailey Krier and Sonja Plunkett of The Salon Professional Academy Franchise, Toku Ishizaki, vice president of sales, beauty division of KAI/Universal and Darci Ludwig, director of school development for Redken present check to Steven M. Derks. CEO of the Ilinois Division of the American Cancer Society.

Gary Kogan, director of marketing for KAI/Universal, discusses the Patient Navigation Services program of the Illinois Division of the American Cancer Society with Illinois Division CEO Steven M. Derks.