Palatine salon helps one of its own after selfless donation

Kasci Bedessem’s co-workers at Salon Elite and Spa in Palatine say she’s the epitome of generosity and selflessness.

Earlier this week, Bedessem had surgery at Loyola University Medical Center to donate a kidney to a 4-year-old in Utah — someone she’s never even met, but with whom she happened to be a match.

The salon wanted to do its part to ease the financial burden and shine a spotlight on organ donation, though it took some convincing.

“Kasci will recuperate much slower than the recipient, so even though she was against the idea (of a fundraiser) at first, we knew we had to help somehow,” Salon Elite and Spa employee Kelly Kelley said.

The salon is hosting a Cut-A-Thon and bake sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at the shop, located in Palatine’s Regency Plaza at 772 W. Euclid Ave.

For $25, a hair professional will do a shampoo and cut. There also will be giveaways every half-hour including baskets and gift cards.

Bedessem likely will miss about six weeks of work as she recovers, but told co-workers she and her husband made a point to save money so she could do the surgery. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Heal with Love Foundation, which provides financial support to kidney donors.

For more information or to help out, call the salon at (847) 359-2100.