In partnership with a national nonprofit, an Arizona-based support group for cancer patients is opening a salon in Phoenix this Saturday that will offer free wigs of varying lengths, colors and styles.
Julie Dunnigan is the CEO of Cancer Support Community Arizona. She said they’ll celebrate opening with free styling and makeover services by cosmetology students from Paul Mitchell The School.
“To select a wig that you're going to be wearing every day out in public is such an important process and so we want to make sure that our participants feel completely comfortable with the wig that they choose and that they have a variety of different styles, colors and links to choose from," Dunnigan said.
Especially, she explained, with how difficult the process of getting one while simultaneously going through cancer treatment can sometimes be — even with the help of existing free wig programs.
“Some of them are breast cancer specific,” said Dunnigan, adding that many send patients to a salon for their wig and cover either a certain amount, or the whole cost of the wig.
“We heard from our patients that they really would prefer a place where they could go, leave the same day with a wig in hand and be completely at no cost, not just covering a portion,” she said.
Dunnigan, a breast cancer survivor herself, emphasized the importance of having other people in your life who know what it's like to go through what you're dealing with.
“When I was going to lose my hair due to chemo, the thought of that was probably the most overwhelming part of the cancer treatment for me,” Duncan recalled.
For someone undergoing cancer treatment, finding the right option can be deeply personal.
“Some people come in and they really want a wig that's going to make them look like it's their own hair from before and nobody's going to notice that perhaps that they’re sick or lost their hair or have cancer. And others take the opportunity to go crazy and do something wild," she said.
Whatever they choose, Dunnigan said she hopes they leave knowing they don’t have to go through their experience alone, emphasizing the importance of “having a community of people who you don't feel like you need to keep a brave face on when you're talking to them,” saying, “So much of fighting this is having a strong mental health and having a good attitude. A big part of that, when you're going through something so difficult and so draining, is to be around other people who share the same experiences, who have been through the same journey.”
After the grand opening, volunteers will operate the salon by appointment to help guests leave with a wig, provided by EBeauty, that they feel good on the same day.
After the grand opening, the wig salon will operate by appointment only. Those interested in securing a wig during the event or scheduling an appointment can reach out to Cancer Support Community Arizona at [email protected] or 602-712-1006 for more information.
