Parents at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital got some TLC at the first-ever Salon Day.
Meet Tina Duffy, co-owner and stylist at Waves Salon in Hauppauge. Tina has styled thousands of people with heartbreaking stories and over the years, but volunteering at Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms called to her.
Tina, co-owner Freddy Mattera, and stylist Michelle Stuhler hosted the first Salon Day at the Ronald McDonald House Family Room at Stony Brook Children’s this summer. Tina and Michelle came up with this idea to bring care, comfort and compassion to medical families at Stony Brook Children’s—the only children’s hospital in Suffolk County. Tina and Michelle spent hours in the Family Rooms and generously donated their time and talent to provide complimentary haircuts and blowouts to seven grateful guests. Most of the guests included new moms and dads from the NICU.
A Labor of Love in Stony Brook
For parents whose children are receiving care at Stony Brook Children’s, the days and nights are long. Tina Duffy knows firsthand what those long hospital stays.
For Tina, this effort is about far more than hairstyling, it’s a labor of love rood in personal experience. Over the years, Tina and her husband raised four sons – James, Trevor, Austin and Jordan. Six years ago, Tina lost her husband to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). As his spouse and caregiver, it was a hard journey that Tina took pride in navigating with grace. Today, Tina is a grandmother and loves spending valuable time with her loved ones and giving back.
When Tina’s granddaughter, Charlotte, was born, her world was shifted overnight. The love and joy she felt for her family’s newest addition was cut with fear and uncertainty. Charlotte had to spend 40 days in the NICU and three days in the PICU at Stony Brook Children’s. Tina’s son and daughter-in-law visited daily and used the Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms for comfort and care.
Community Connection
Michelle Stuhler has a deeply personal connection to Ronald McDonald House as well. Following a routine eye exam, Michelle’s son, Logan was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor called JPA (Juvenile Pilocyctic Astrocytoma). At just eight years old, Logan had emergency surgery to remove the tumor on the eve of Thanksgiving in 2021. While at at hospital, the Ronald McDonald House provided overnight accommodations, meals, comfort, and love.
“The Ronald McDonald House gave us a little bit of comfort and sanity at a very scary time for our family,” said Michelle.
Logan is now 12 years old and thriving.
Ronald McDonald House programs bring community to families who are in the midst of a medical emergency. This community brings families together to promote healing.
Looking Ahead
For Tina, this Salon Day is only the beginning. She’s already planning the next event, scheduled for late September. Tina has big dreams of growing it into a recurring initiative:
“This is going to be my biggest project yet,” she says. “Be it a minute, a moment, or a month, that’s all it takes to make a difference.”
She hopes to involve the Wave Salon and community in the future, creating a ripple effect that reaches more families, more hospitals, and more hearts. We’re beyond grateful to Tina, Michelle, and the entire team at Waves Salon for using their time and talents to bring comfort and confidence to families facing the hardest moments of their lives.