For nearly 23 years, Darlene Lacey has trusted stylist Jeanne Meyer with her hair — and her heart.

They’ve been through colors and cuts together, sure. But they’ve also been through life.

"We’ve seen each other through good times and bad times, husbands and boyfriends," says Lacey, 47, who runs a Medford janitorial service. "Her grandson married my daughter’s best friend."

But today, for the first time, when Lacey shows up for her regular appointment at the Hair Legends salon in Medford, Meyer won’t be there.

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Lung cancer has forced the longtime stylist to lay down her scissors for a while. It also has forced a woman friends say is known for her privacy and her pride to accept help from others.

Clients and colleagues, even stylists who don’t know Meyer, plan to hold a cut-a-thon on Sunday to raise money to offset Meyer’s medical expenses.

"She thought she’d be off three months. We’re looking at not knowing if she can even come back," says Linda Miller, 54, a client who’s organizing the event. "This is a moment in her life when she really needs help."

So far, four local salons are participating in the benefit. They range from Hair Legends, where Meyer has worked since its opening more than five years ago, to Precision Hair Design Inc., whose owner has never met Meyer.

"I heard about it and my heart went out to her," says Ann Jagoda, 54. "It’s only because she’s a hairstylist. We all have to stick together, you know?"

The other contributors include Salon W and Attitudes in Medford.

Phillip Mason, 59, owner of Hair Legends, estimates that each salon will earn about $1,500 on Sunday. All fees and tips will be delivered to Meyer, for a total of perhaps $6,000.

That would offset expenses not covered by Meyer’s medical insurance. Like other self-employed workers, Meyer has limited capacity to cover catastrophic illness.

"I think this is the industry sort of coming together," Mason says. "They’re coming together because we’ve all sort of had that fear."

Meyer — who hates to tell her age but admits she’s in her early 50s — was diagnosed with lung cancer in March.

"I’ve never smoked a cigarette," says Meyer, who was stunned at the news.

Radiation treatment appeared to halt the disease in the summer. Meyer was back at work, offering cuts and color weaves on a reduced schedule. A couple of weeks ago, however, doctors detected the cancer’s return.

"They say they can’t do any more," Meyer says.

She’s pursuing alternative therapies and relying on prayer groups from her Trail Christian Fellowship congregation.

In the meantime, Meyer reluctantly agreed to accept the proceeds from the cut-a-thon.

"I think most people in the world want to help other people, but they don’t know how," Meyer says. "It’s hard for me to open up and let them get the satisfaction of helping."

It’s not every hairstylist who would inspire such effort, but Miller and Lacey say Meyer is different.

"She is a friend and also my hairstylist," Miller says. "She’s just a spiritual person of such style and quality."

Adds Lacey:

"I like the way she does my hair! No one has touched my hair but Jeanne."

Meyer says that’s because her job is about more than the mirror.

"I love people and I love to make them feel good about themselves," she says. "I connect easily and therefore they connect easily and there it is: a connection."

Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail jaleccia@mailtribune.com

Participating hair salons

They include the following businesses. Call ahead for hours, appointments and fees.