Tyler

By KELLY PREW
Staff Writer

In an act of solidarity and support of a member of the "family," employees at Peltier Chevrolet, one by one, shaved their heads in the showroom.

Katie Fitzgerald, 16, daughter of Peltier team leader technician James Fitzgerald, was diagnosed in February with Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease. Katie since has lost all her hair to radiation treatment.

"She's in Stage 2, midrisk. The cancer is in her chest," James said, surrounded by his friends and fellow employees who were all running their hands through their hair for the last time. "When they found out she was diagnosed, everyone wanted to help. The dealership has been very supportive."

James said Katie was spending her day in treatment at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, but would receive photos of the head-shaving event via cell phone.

Service director Mark Kuchera was one of the first in line to go bald.

"Fitz and I have worked side by side for two years," he said, rubbing his newly buzzed hair before finishing thejob with a razor and shaving cream. "I know Katie from her coming up here, and I talked to her on the phone last night.

"This is all family, and she's all of our daughters. We support her and love her any way we can."

Robert Peltier took the next seat and, amid laughter and applause, took a deep breath.

"Maybe it will make us all look younger," he laughed, as the first clump of hair hit the floor. "I guess there's a first time for everything."

Peltier said he wouldn't have missed the opportunity for anything.

"I'd do it 100 times if I could take that away from this little girl," he said. "This is our way of saying, the same Christ that is in me is in her. We're all closer because of this."

General Manager Dean Cagle said the dealership is doing whatever it can to help the family.

"I feel like we're so blessed to have a wonderful family here," he said. "We want to show them we love them, and doing this is an honor and a privilege."

Peltier Chevrolet’s Dean Cagle (left) shaves the head of Peltier Chevrolet and Nissan General Manager David Bates as stylist Jennifer Lawhorn looks on at Peltier Chevrolet on Wednesday.
(Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero)