Photo By: Finnegan: Racine’s owners, Cynthia Sansone (left) and Rachel DeMolfetto said their mother Mildred provided the inspiration to open the shop to patients going through a similar diagnosis.
The beauty of life’s dramas
Story By: LIZ FINNEGAN, Editor
31 January 2013
ISLIP—It’s not every day that an ordinary business becomes a part of something as renowned as the Academy Awards. But then there’s nothing ordinary about Racine’s Salon de Beauté and Spa, which is located at 341 Main Street in Islip, especially every third Monday of the month. That’s because since 2002, the salon has opened its doors on that day to women and even men undergoing cancer treatment to offer them any service on their menu free of charge. And as a result, it has brought comfort and companionship to hundreds of people who face a dreaded diagnosis, and the resulting unforeseen drama that takes over their lives.
The magnanimous efforts of shop owners and sisters Cynthia Sansone and Rachel DeMolfetto, along with their dedicated staff, went widely unnoticed for years until an HBO executive got wind of what they had been doing and gave two well-known filmmakers the nod to begin creating a short documentary based on that work. “Mondays at Racine,” a 39-minute film by Academy Award-winning director Cynthia Wade and producer Robin Honan was released last year. The film is filled with pathos as patrons struggle to overcome a difficult situation by sharing experiences and their feelings through tears and even laughter. It has since won many accolades and also awards and is now vying for the pinnacle of film honors, the Academy Awards.
“It’s surreal, unexpected but also very humbling,” said DeMolfetto regarding the nomination.
The sisters opened their shop in 1998, but had each operated similar businesses in Islip since the early 1990s. Sansone said the idea to provide free services to those suffering through a cancer diagnosis came to her while sitting on the beach, reflecting on their mother who passed away from breast cancer in 1989.
“She suffered through many indignities,” Sansone said, noting that her mother’s diagnosis came during the era of AIDS when people were very unsure of different diseases and how they spread. Even her regular beauty salon began to treat her differently. And so it was painful for her and her four sisters to see what was happening.
Mildred DeMolfetto was a successful businesswoman, working as a decorator and realtor. “Image was very important to her,“ said DeMolfetto.
“[Mom] was treated like a pariah [at the salon],” Sansone added. “I remember hearing the whispers when her hair began falling out. We watched and suffered with her,” and added that deciding to open the shop to cancer patients was an homage to her.
Once the decision was made to provide those services, the sisters began putting out the word about their plans, contacted local oncologists and the Islip Breast Cancer Coalition, which began making referrals.
“We were tutored on how to go about this,” said Sansone, noting that they follow medical criteria and doctor recommendations on what types of services would be appropriate. One of those services, which receives absolute priority, is shaving heads in preparation for chemotherapy.
“Anyone who needs their head shaved does not have to wait until the third week, we take them anytime,” Sansone said.
“We don’t turn anyone away. Anyone in treatment is entitled to our services,” she added.
And so they come from Manhattan to Montauk seeking services that include manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and makeup applications and also receive gift bags filled with decorated caps, scarves and other goodies courtesy of local organizations and area merchants. However, they mostly come for the friendly conversation, humor and emotional support direly needed during a stressful time.
Renee Bologna of East Northport was referred there from a friend. Being diagnosed with cancer in her early 40s was difficult to face. She arrived at the salon mid-way through the film’s two years of taping in 2010 and became part of the production, although she opted not to have a speaking part in the movie.
“It was refreshing and reassuring to be able to go out and have something done to make you feel better,” she said, and remarked how glad she was that the film was nominated. “It couldn’t happen to better people.”
Bellport resident Merilyn Konnerth, who grew up in Islip, had been living in Manhattan and just at the verge of launching a new skin care line when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 52.
“Breast cancer is very emotional and I didn’t realize how much emotion was connected to my breast and to my hair,” she said.
Although Konnerth was not involved in the filming, she was referred to the salon by a neighbor while living with her parents in Islip during her treatments. “I walked in [to the shop] with no hair. At that point in my chemo I just wanted to be invisible. Those women were courageous to allow themselves to be filmed,” she said.
Konnerth received massages at the salon that she described as “amazing” and also found the emotional support she needed, too.
“I got so much out of talking to the women there,” she noted. “Everyone shared a commonality.
“What Cynthia, Rachel and their team do is amazing. It gave me strength and allowed me to help others going through a [similar] experience.”
Konnerth, now in remission, has finally launched her skin care line, which is sold in the Islip salon. She said she looks forward to seeing the awards ceremony and rooting for the film. “If all wishes can make it win, it will win,” she said.
However, Sansone and DeMolfetto, who are excitedly getting ready to be in the Hollywood spotlight on Feb. 24 in formal gowns by Eva of Sayville, take a more pragmatic approach to the idea of the award.
DeMolfetto said although it’s very exciting, the film’s message is what’s really important.
“We hope to inspire other salons to do the same and help others,” she said.
“Mondays at Racine” trailer can be seen online at: www.mondaysatracine.com. The 85th annual Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24, beginning at 7 p.m. on WABC.
Story By: LIZ FINNEGAN, Editor
31 January 2013
ISLIP—It’s not every day that an ordinary business becomes a part of something as renowned as the Academy Awards. But then there’s nothing ordinary about Racine’s Salon de Beauté and Spa, which is located at 341 Main Street in Islip, especially every third Monday of the month. That’s because since 2002, the salon has opened its doors on that day to women and even men undergoing cancer treatment to offer them any service on their menu free of charge. And as a result, it has brought comfort and companionship to hundreds of people who face a dreaded diagnosis, and the resulting unforeseen drama that takes over their lives.
The magnanimous efforts of shop owners and sisters Cynthia Sansone and Rachel DeMolfetto, along with their dedicated staff, went widely unnoticed for years until an HBO executive got wind of what they had been doing and gave two well-known filmmakers the nod to begin creating a short documentary based on that work. “Mondays at Racine,” a 39-minute film by Academy Award-winning director Cynthia Wade and producer Robin Honan was released last year. The film is filled with pathos as patrons struggle to overcome a difficult situation by sharing experiences and their feelings through tears and even laughter. It has since won many accolades and also awards and is now vying for the pinnacle of film honors, the Academy Awards.
“It’s surreal, unexpected but also very humbling,” said DeMolfetto regarding the nomination.
The sisters opened their shop in 1998, but had each operated similar businesses in Islip since the early 1990s. Sansone said the idea to provide free services to those suffering through a cancer diagnosis came to her while sitting on the beach, reflecting on their mother who passed away from breast cancer in 1989.
“She suffered through many indignities,” Sansone said, noting that her mother’s diagnosis came during the era of AIDS when people were very unsure of different diseases and how they spread. Even her regular beauty salon began to treat her differently. And so it was painful for her and her four sisters to see what was happening.
Mildred DeMolfetto was a successful businesswoman, working as a decorator and realtor. “Image was very important to her,“ said DeMolfetto.
“[Mom] was treated like a pariah [at the salon],” Sansone added. “I remember hearing the whispers when her hair began falling out. We watched and suffered with her,” and added that deciding to open the shop to cancer patients was an homage to her.
Once the decision was made to provide those services, the sisters began putting out the word about their plans, contacted local oncologists and the Islip Breast Cancer Coalition, which began making referrals.
“We were tutored on how to go about this,” said Sansone, noting that they follow medical criteria and doctor recommendations on what types of services would be appropriate. One of those services, which receives absolute priority, is shaving heads in preparation for chemotherapy.
“Anyone who needs their head shaved does not have to wait until the third week, we take them anytime,” Sansone said.
“We don’t turn anyone away. Anyone in treatment is entitled to our services,” she added.
And so they come from Manhattan to Montauk seeking services that include manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and makeup applications and also receive gift bags filled with decorated caps, scarves and other goodies courtesy of local organizations and area merchants. However, they mostly come for the friendly conversation, humor and emotional support direly needed during a stressful time.
Renee Bologna of East Northport was referred there from a friend. Being diagnosed with cancer in her early 40s was difficult to face. She arrived at the salon mid-way through the film’s two years of taping in 2010 and became part of the production, although she opted not to have a speaking part in the movie.
“It was refreshing and reassuring to be able to go out and have something done to make you feel better,” she said, and remarked how glad she was that the film was nominated. “It couldn’t happen to better people.”
Bellport resident Merilyn Konnerth, who grew up in Islip, had been living in Manhattan and just at the verge of launching a new skin care line when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 52.
“Breast cancer is very emotional and I didn’t realize how much emotion was connected to my breast and to my hair,” she said.
Although Konnerth was not involved in the filming, she was referred to the salon by a neighbor while living with her parents in Islip during her treatments. “I walked in [to the shop] with no hair. At that point in my chemo I just wanted to be invisible. Those women were courageous to allow themselves to be filmed,” she said.
Konnerth received massages at the salon that she described as “amazing” and also found the emotional support she needed, too.
“I got so much out of talking to the women there,” she noted. “Everyone shared a commonality.
“What Cynthia, Rachel and their team do is amazing. It gave me strength and allowed me to help others going through a [similar] experience.”
Konnerth, now in remission, has finally launched her skin care line, which is sold in the Islip salon. She said she looks forward to seeing the awards ceremony and rooting for the film. “If all wishes can make it win, it will win,” she said.
However, Sansone and DeMolfetto, who are excitedly getting ready to be in the Hollywood spotlight on Feb. 24 in formal gowns by Eva of Sayville, take a more pragmatic approach to the idea of the award.
DeMolfetto said although it’s very exciting, the film’s message is what’s really important.
“We hope to inspire other salons to do the same and help others,” she said.
“Mondays at Racine” trailer can be seen online at: www.mondaysatracine.com. The 85th annual Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24, beginning at 7 p.m. on WABC.
