October 31, 2024
Stay strong, stay gorgeous: Free wig event is ‘such a confidence boost’ for women with cancer
by Patricia Sheridan | Pittsburgh Post Gazette | October 31, 2024
Lori Ball, founder of Faith & Gratitude, says giving wigs to women suffering hair loss due to cancer gives them a little bit of normalcy during a harrowing time in their lives.
A cancer survivor herself, she knows what it means to maintain an optimistic attitude. For some, she says, a wig can make a big difference.
Ball remembers wearing a wig when she was going through treatments and how she wore it every day. “I loved mine,” she says.
To aid women on similar journeys, Faith & Gratitude recently held its second Stay Strong, Stay Gorgeous free wig event on Oct. 13 at Studio Seven in Washington, Pa.
“When I went through my cancer treatment nine years ago for ovarian cancer, I realized there was a huge gap between conventional oncology and really what the patient needs, which is a lot of this mind, body, spirit,” Ball said.
She founded her North Huntingdon-based nonprofit in 2017. In addition to offering counseling and support, Ball curated a cancer research guide with all the information a patient might need in a binder.
Ball started the Stay Strong, Stay Gorgeous event last year after her nonprofit received a large donation of wigs. They reached out to people with cancer at local hospitals and some hair salons.
Faith & Gratitude teamed again with Nancy Frazier, owner of Studio Seven and a breast cancer survivor. Frazier recruited several of her stylists as volunteers to spend an afternoon styling wigs in the salon.
“I think Lori wanted it to feel like a spa day and not be clinical,” she said.
Some people came alone, but most brought someone with them.
“Mom loved it,” said Dawn Miles, who accompanied her mother to the salon after seeing a flyer advertising the event.
Her mother, Luetta “Lulu” Jones, had just finished her first round of treatment for cancer.
“She never had a wig and it was such a confidence boost for her,” Miles said.
Inside the salon were several stations with gifts for those who came. There were books, a selection of Sabika earrings and a table with many hat and scarf choices. Women also received a soft head covering and wig stand.
But the wigs were the main attraction. Frazier and her three stylists shaped and cut the wigs for each client. She has dealt with hair loss herself.
“Wigs are so much better than they used to be,” she said.
“I have been wearing a wig for at least 25 years. I think a wig gives you warmth and comfort.”
Frazier and her stylists found it very rewarding to help out the people who came for the afternoon.
“It really is heartwarming,” she said.
Miles and Jones agreed.
“The day was fabulous and much more than either of us thought it would be,” said Miles.
She said the stylists were so compassionate and helpful as they gave Jones two different looks. Each wig is adjustable and made to fit any size head.
“They were wonderful,” Miles said. “Mom is petite and has a tiny head.
“Mom’s hair is a natural auburn and she always wore it short but styled nicely,” she explained.
It was also an opportunity for some women to try different hairstyles. Jones tried on a long, curly, blond wig for fun.
“We had a few good laughs,” her daughter said. “It definitely did not suit her, but I took pictures of her in it and sent it to family as if it was the one she chose.”
Jones came away with a wig in her natural color and a blond one, both in the short cut she prefers.
“She is very pleased and could not have been happier,” noted Miles.