CRESTVIEW — Tami Black's recent hair coloring appointment became a lifesaver when her hairdresser found a suspicious spot on her scalp.

April Linton, a cosmetologist at the Hello Beautiful salon, found a blemish about the size of a pencil eraser on the Baker School teacher's head last month.

After Linton showed Black a cell phone photo of it, the 33-year teaching veteran made an appointment with her dermatologist, Dr. Charles Trapp, who removed the cancerous spot and surrounding skin.

Checking customers’ heads for irregularities should be standard professional practice at any salon, Linton said.

“I always look,” Linton said. “I’ve found things before because you can’t see the back of your neck or behind your ears or on top of your head.

“They’re not just our clients, they’ve become our friends. Notifying them is just the right thing to do if you find something.”

EARLY DETECTION

Black, who has a family and personal history of skin cancer, said the cancer didn’t have time to get worse.

“They got it very early so I didn’t have to go through chemo. There was no invasion of my lymph nodes,” she said. “But I had 10 stitches on my head because (Dr. Trapp) cut out a quarter-size spot.”

Black, in turn, paid Linton’s deed forward by including discussion of cancer in her high school science classroom.

“I teach anatomy and we go over all that,” she said. “Some kids are cautious, but I have seniors and, come prom time, they’re tanning-bedding like crazy.”

Black, who brought Linton a floral bouquet in appreciation for her attentiveness, said the cosmetologist probably saved her life.

“I had some people praying for me,” Black said. “They said God knew it (the cancer) was there and he used April to find it.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LIFE-SAVING HAIR APPOINTMENT: Cosmetologist discovers cancerous spot on woman's head

CRESTVIEW — Madison Baxley is turning 5 years old on Sept. 30.

“It’s a big deal,” her mother, Ashley, said. “Even before she was born, she wasn’t expected to make it.”

Madison has Turner syndrome, a chromosomal disorder that affects growth and can result in a wide neck, hearing loss, visual impairment and irregularities with the heart, liver and kidneys, according to the Turner Syndrome Society of the United States website.

The disorder itself — which is present in one of 2,000 female births, according to the society's website — typically isn't life-threatening, but complications can be.

Madison was just 9 days old when she received open-heart surgery in Atlanta, Ashley said.

Madison, at 4, still struggles, but her mother is optimistic.

 “She has done pretty well so far,” Ashley said.  

 The family spreads awareness by wearing Turner syndrome T-shirts and supporting Turner Syndrome Family Fun Day, set for Sept. 27 at Old Spanish Trail Park.

The event will feature children’s bounce houses, a video game truck, face painting and live music. Wrist bands, lunch plates and snacks will be sold for donations.

 In addition, residents dealing with the disorder will be on hand to share insight, Ashley said.

Most of the event's proceeds will assist with Madison’s medical expenses. Twenty-five percent will benefit the Turner Syndrome Society of the United States, Ashley said.

In addition to weekly physical and occupational therapy sessions, Madison soon will need another open-heart surgery, along with a neck procedure, Ashley said.

Having Madison in her life has given Ashley purpose in spreading awareness for Turner syndrome, she said.

“I never knew what my calling was until I had her,” she said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Turner Syndrome Family Fun Day

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 

WHERE: Old Spanish Trail Park, corner of Industrial Drive and Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview

COST: $5 per wristband, $5 for barbeque plate and $25 for family of four package (including two children's wrist bands and four lunch plates)

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woman spreads Turner syndrome awareness following daughter's diagnosis

The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has issued a 60-day rabies alert after two bats recently tested positive for rabies in the Mary Esther and Hurlburt Field areas.

The alert applies to the following areas.

Avoid all contact with wildlife and keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets, Dr. Karen Chapman, the local health department's director, said.

Call Okaloosa County Animal Control, 244-0196, to remove any stray domestic animals from your neighborhood.

Anyone bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Okaloosa, 689-7859.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department issues rabies alert

CRESTVIEW — Dr. Wanda Batson says the decision to dance during Covenant Hospice's Oct. 4 Blue Jean Ball came easy.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio owner David Colón just asked her.

“My friend, David, asked me if I’d be willing to help out with the hospice fundraiser,” Batson said. “My answer was, ‘Of course.’"

Initially, she thought he meant financial assistance or volunteering.

When Colón said, “Oh, by the way…,” she realized he meant being one of four sponsored, celebrity dancers.

Now, she's practicing for the big night.

DANCING STAR

With a recording of Frank Sinatra crooning “Nice and Easy,” Colón whirled her around his dance studio on Wednesday as they perfected their routine.

Batson joins Stephanie Overstreet, Joel Davis and Dr. Khalid Moussa, who with their Fred Astaire professional partners are learning new dance steps — or how to dance at all — while raising money for Covenant.

Judges will critique their dancing skill, the audience's enthusiasm and how much money they raise.

Covenant organizers have set a $12,000 target for this year’s Dancing with the Crestview Stars segment, a $2,000 increase from last year’s donations.

“I’ll be harassing loved ones — with love,” Batson said of her fundraising technique.

She also plans to solicit donations through her Facebook page and through an online donation site she has yet to set up.

A SERIOUS CAUSE

Though she jokes about how Colón “voluntold” her to join the effort, her support for Covenant Hospice — which provides free end-of-life care for needy patients — is serious.

“Every family I know has been affected by cancer, so I’ll just ask them for money,” Batson said.

She believes in Covenant Hospice's service to terminally ill patients and families trying to cope with a loved one’s illness and impending death.

“If you emotionally can’t be there for support, hospice is,” Batson said. “It’s a whole level of care you have to have. Covenant Hospice provides that whole level of compassion you need to have.

The “Arabian Nights”-themed Blue Jean Ball, benefiting Covenant Hospice, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

Tickets cost $60 each and are available at Covenant Hospice, 4100 Ferdon Blvd. S.; by phone, 682-3628; or at www.covenanthospice.org.

Email News Bulletin Arts Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hospice's 'compassion,' support for patients motivates dancer

The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program seeks volunteers to drive local cancer patients to and from their chemotherapy or radiation treatments. 

"An integral part of treating cancer successfully is making sure cancer patients receive their treatments, but many find making transportation arrangements is a challenge," an American Cancer Society spokesperson said. "Road to Recovery drivers in the Emerald Coast area continue to provide necessary trips for cancer patients, but there is a critical need for new volunteer drivers to keep up with the demand for transportation."

Drivers use their own vehicles to drive patients to and from treatments. The schedule is flexible and treatment appointments take place weekdays, primarily during business hours.

HOW TO HELP

Call the American Cancer Society's local office, 266-2280, if you are interested in driving cancer patients to their appointments.

If you are a cancer patient seeking more information about the Road to Recovery program, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Volunteer drivers needed for cancer patients