It was “hair today and gone tomorrow” — all for a noble cause — at Redmond’s Overlake Terrace Assisted Living on Tuesday.

Employees David Standring and Natalia Yanovsky and resident Diana Claflin got their heads shaved to raise money and show support for The Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and “this is the time of year when thoughts go to those who have been through, or their families and friends have experienced, the anguish and fear over breast cancer,” explained Standring, who is the personal preferences coordinator at the retirement home.

Standring, who lost his sister to cancer, wrote to the Redmond Reporter, “Ann was the sister I could never get angry at, and who always inspired and amazed me. She was a wonderful mom to her two children, a devoted wife and was just starting to get into the swing of being a grandma.”

Two years ago, after two remissions in a 10-year period, Ann lost her battle with breast cancer.

“At the time of her passing, it was hard to think of her not being around anymore — sending cute postcards and letters, calling up and even trying to e-mail, even though she hated using a computer,” said Standring. “As time has passed, there have been times when I’ve felt that I wish I had the chance to say a big THANK YOU for being the person she was, to let her know how I’ll always remember her.”

He decided that shearing off his hair and collecting donations for Susan G. Komen would be a unique way to pay tribute to his sister. He said his mother-in-law, whom he greatly admires, is also a breast cancer survivor.

After Standring announced his plan, Yanovsky, who is a receptionist at Overlake Terrace, and resident Claflin asked if they could also take part in the head-shaving event.

All three dyed their hair pink prior to the well-attended spectacle in the library of Overlake Terrace. Residents showed up early to get good seats and enthusiastically cheered as staff beautician Nancy Chaney first removed all of Yanovsky’s hair, then Standring’s and started on Claflin, who requested “a super short buzz cut” rather than going completely bald.

All admitted their bare scalps “felt good” but a resident named Gladys Shipek had been worried that their heads would get cold at night. She presented each of them with handmade “sleeping caps” which resembled bonnets from the Victorian era. The crowd cracked up as Standring, Claflin and Yanovsky modeled the quaint head wear.

The head-shaving event brought some levity to a dark topic but also was successful in generating funds to fight breast cancer. Before and during the event, Standring and friends raised $1,882. Overlake Terrace’s parent company, BPM Senior Living, is also kicking in $500, bringing the projected grand total up to $2,382.

If you would like to help the cause, click here.