ST. CHARLES – It's no coincidence that most of the workers at Merlin Corporation in St. Charles are bald.

When Tim Williams learned co-worker Kristin Pruden had been diagnosed with breast cancer, he told her he'd shave his head if she lost her hair.

Pruden, whose brown hair once was past her shoulders, chopped it to her ears and later had her boyfriend of almost nine years buzz it, she said. The 30-year-old, who soon will undergo a third round of chemotherapy, said it was "pretty traumatic" when she began losing her hair.

"It's pretty much all gone now," she said.

Monday, 10 of her coworkers shaved their heads in solidarity, joining another who had already shaved his hair. Williams, who had never before shaved his head, said the group had fun with the experience.

"Everybody really cares for her a lot," Williams said. "What's really cool is the people who I would think bust my chops are saying, 'We'll give you a pass because of why you did it.' "

Pruden said it is wonderful to get her co-workers' support.

"It does mean a lot," she said Thursday.

Pruden was diagnosed with breast cancer in October at age 29 after finding a lump during a self breast exam.

"Doing the exam myself is what saved my life," she said.

She since has learned she also has the BRCA1 gene that puts her at a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, she said. She plans to have a bilateral mastectomy as soon as her body heals from chemotherapy, she said, adding she also plans to have a hysterectomy when she's done having children.

Her mother, Maria Antink of St. Charles, said she is touched by how many people have supported her
daughter.

"It's going to be a lifelong battle for her," Antink said.

Pruden, formerly of St. Charles, lives in Carpentersville.