Friend to get part of cuts

Wherever Newport Beach salon owner Shelly McCalmont went when she was in high school, her best friend Debra Ferreira was never far behind.

When McCalmont went on her first date with a boy, Ferreira tagged along. The two were next-door neighbors in La Puente from the time they were 2 and 3 years old.

“She was just one of those good friends that you do everything with. We borrowed clothes from each other, and went through a lot of important milestones together,” said McCalmont, who has owned Hair West Salon in Cannery Village for the past six years.

Ferreira has battled a rare form of pancreatic cancer for more than 10 years. The disease has spread to her liver and she’s had to undergo surgery to have parts of it removed. Her condition has worsened over the past few months, leaving her bed bound. Unable to work, she eats through a tube, and undergoes weekly rounds of chemotherapy and dialysis.

“I knew I had to do something to help her, because she’s the type of person who would be the first to do something for me,” McCalmont said.

McCalmont is opening her salon for a “Cut-a-thon” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17, with hair stylists donating their services to help Ferreira. She’s also solicited raffle prizes, including packages from the Cannery Restaurant, Alta Coffee and a trip to Catalina.

So far, she’s raised about $1,000 in ticket sales for her sick friend.

“On the positive side, it has really brought everyone together,” Ferreira said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I’ve just been amazed by how old friends have gotten in touch with others to help me out.”

Although Ferreira lives in the Diamond Bar area, she still travels to Newport Beach whenever she can to get her hair cut at McCalmont’s salon. Hair West and its clients are like a group of sisters, said manicurist Debi Purinton, who works at Hair West.

“[Ferreira] has become part of the family here,” Purinton said. “To know her is to love her.”

Purinton is one of several Hair West employees who will donate their time during the Cut-a-thon to help Ferreira with living expenses while she is too sick to work.

“I would hope that somebody would do the same for me,” she said.

HOW TO HELP

Hair West Salon, 2817 Villa Way, will host a “Cut-a-thon” to benefit Debra Ferreira, who has a rare form of pancreatic cancer, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17.

Women’s Haircuts: $45;

Men’s haircuts: $20;

Manicures: $10

There also will be raffle prizes including a trip for two to Catalina and a whale watching tour. Tickets cost $10 each or $25 for three. For more information, call (949) 673-4186

Reporter BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.