Founders
Gail Federici - Co-Founder and former CEO, John Frieda Professional Hair Care, Current CEO of the The Federici Companies
My daughter Alex was born with congenital heart disease and by the time she was 8, she needed extensive open-heart surgery. My husband and I were determined to find the best cardiac surgeon in the country. When you have a sick child, it feels like you have no control. But the one thing you can control is picking the best doctors and placing your faith in them. Everyone we spoke to recommended we visit Children's Hospital Boston.
Alex's condition required a team approach, at which Children's really excels. Cardiologist James Locke, MD, first closed a hole in Alex's heart by inserting through a catheter, a tiny umbrella-like device which he invented. Then Dr. Aldo Castenda performed open-heart surgery to correct additional serious problems. It was a terrifying and vulnerable time, but the Children's team is so reassuring and supportive.
After surgery, Alex was a completely different child. She sang and danced all the time - she still does! Children's was so amazing to us and we want to do everything we can for other sick children, their families and the team of dedicated doctors and staff that work so hard everyday to make life better for all of us.
John Frieda - Celebrity Hairstylist, Co-Founder John Frieda Professional Hair Care, John Frieda Salons
My business partner Gail Federici and I started HAIRraising in 2010 to help sick children and support the groundbreaking research and lifesaving cures that Children's Hospital Boston is known for world-wide. Gail and her family have experienced firsthand one of the many Children's Hospital miracles, so we've brought the salon industry together to help.
Over the last two years the salon industry has raised over $200,000 for CHB, but we're just getting started! We hope that you'll join us on Sunday, April 29th as we go to all lengths for kids!
