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Mechanics shave their heads in support of co-worker

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Woodruff
  • Staff Writer
If you look around the 551st Commodities Maintenance Squadron Sheet Metal Shop here, you will discover that everyone is sporting the same look.

The group of sheet metal mechanics shaved their heads in support of their co-worker Ralph Odonnell after learning he has cancer and is going through chemotherapy.

It was Eddy Roundtree's idea. Though, Billy Wiens said, "It didn't take much to convince us." Klein Nguyen agreed and said they were all determined to do it to show their support. The friends said they were most surprised that Jason Kramer agreed to shave his head because he had the most hair and loved it. Everyone had a good time teasing Kramer about his brushes, mirrors and hair care products. It was good to laugh.

"I'd just like to thank these guys and, really, everyone out here for their support," said Odonnell.

Odonnell's wife of 14 years, Lyndy, made him go to the doctor for an annual physical, and that is when they discovered he had esophageal cancer.

Lyndy, who retired from Tinker after 33 years, had been trying to get her husband to go to the doctor for two or three years when he finally gave in and went.

"Listen to your wives," said Odonnell. "They're always right."

Odonnell travels to Chicago to the Cancer Treatment Center of America every three weeks for treatments.

The American Cancer Society estimates 16,980 new esophageal cancer cases diagnosed in 2015 with more than 13,000 of those affecting men. Esophageal cancer makes up 1 percent of cancer in America. The most common symptoms of esophageal cancer are difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, burning in the throat or chest and reflux symptoms.

"I'm going to beat this thing," Odonnell said. "I have a lot of support at home, work and church. All prayers help."