Vivian Gelormino had 11 inches of hair cut off Monday afternoon at Crevier’s School of Cosmetology in Kalispell. Gelormino raised $11,000 for her friend Sarah Lynch, who has a rare tumor-producing disorder. In a show of solidarity, she pledged to cut one inch of hair for every $1,000 dollars raised.

Lynch and Gelormino have been friends since they met as teenagers while working part time at the local movie theater. Now they’re both mothers and still best friends. Lynch has been diagnosed with Cowden Syndrome, a condition that causes a mutation of the tumor suppresser gene.

Having Cowden syndrome “means this is my new normal,” Lynch said. “I have to be aggressive with my health and aggressive with my scans, and I have an increased risk of many different cancers.”

Four surgeries, including the expenses of two trips to New York, have stressed the family financially, and Lynch faces more surgery as time goes on. Donations can still be made at http://welovesarahlynch.wix.com/sarah.