Local Unemployed to Receive Free Hair Restoration Surgery, Rejuvenation Package
Cranston, Rhode Island – Dr. Robert Leonard, Founder and Chief Surgeon of Leonard Hair Transplant Associates today announced the winners of a contest he launched earlier this summer for unemployed residents of Rhode Island and Massachusetts to help improve their physical appearance and employment status. The contest was initiated in celebration of his practice’s 20th anniversary and Dr. Leonard’s 50th birthday.
The contest winners, selected based on the total number of public votes in conjunction with Dr. Leonard‘s medical evaluation, are Lynn Lopes of North Providence, RI, and David Arruda of New Bedford, MA. Lopes will receive the first-prize package of free hair restoration and Botox Cosmetic or a facial filler. Arruda will receive the runner-up package of six months of free low level laser light therapy – to stabilize hair loss progression and promote regrowth – and Botox Cosmetic or a facial filler.
“With the country’s jobless rate at 9.7 percent in August and climbing every month – and RI and MA’s unemployment rates coming in at 12.7 and 8.4 percent respectively – help is clearly needed,” said Dr. Leonard. “It is our hope that by providing these hair restoration and rejuvenation services – these two deserving individuals will soon start to look – and importantly, feel better. Hopefully, as a result of their ‘new outlook on life’, they will be aided in their search for employment during what will continue to be very difficult economic times for so many.”
Throughout June and July, unemployed RI and MA residents had the opportunity to enter Dr. Leonard’s contest by submitting a photo of themselves and a statement of 100 words or fewer about why they deserved to win. Contestants were profiled on the contest microsite, including a mention of their job skills as a way to help increase their visibility and competitive edge. Lopes, with a background in customer service and billing, is recently separated and has lost her home and job. Arruda, who has a PhD in music education, has experienced a total of eight job lay offs in his career. His most recent lay off occurred in June. Members of the public had from August 24 through September 4 to vote for who they felt was the most deserving entrant.
“In this economy, people need help in any way, shape or form,” said Lynn Lopes, “and Dr. Leonard realizes that. I really feel that this is a miracle that happened. It’s the greatest gift I’ve ever received.
“It’s so hard to be in the public when you feel like everyone is looking at you because your hair is so thin, and I just wanted to relieve that feeling somewhat,” Lopes added. “This gift is going to increase my confidence level tremendously. I won’t feel so embarrassed when I’m out in public, and can feel more presentable on interviews. I can’t wait to be blow drying my new hair, getting ready for work at a wonderful new job!”
“I think this is a really nice thing that Dr. Leonard has done, particularly in this economic downturn,” said David Arruda. “It makes me hopeful seeing that there are people out there willing to help others and actually try to do something for all of us laid off people.
“In these circumstances, you don’t usually think of yourself; you think of your family and how you’re going to provide. In 19 years of teaching, I’ve been pink slipped eight times, so I know that confidence is one of the first things to go after you’ve been laid off. With this win, I hope to feel better about myself and to have confidence when I go to interviews.”
Both Lopes and Arruda will start treatments next week.
According to a recent online survey conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), 59.8 percent of people who were asked whether they would rather have more hair, money or friends, chose more hair. An estimated 80 million American men and women suffer from male or female pattern hair loss.
Both Lopes and Arruda will start treatments next week.
For more information about the contest, contact Leonard Hair Transplant Associates at 1-800-543-0660 or [email protected].
About Dr. Leonard
With more than 23 years of experience, Dr. Robert Leonard, Founder and Chief Surgeon of Leonard Hair Transplant Associates, offers the latest technology in hair restoration surgery via eight offices throughout New England. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Leonard has served on a number of boards, including the State of Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, and he has held leadership positions in several societies, including President of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, Chairman of the ISHRS’s Bylaws and Ethics Committee, Trustee of the University of New England, and Trustee of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. He earned his B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and his medical degree from the University of New England.