‘I AM LIVING PROOF OF HOPE’
For many with cancer, a wig from Vancouver’s wig and breast-prosthesis bank can make a difference in how they feel — and heal
Maayke Moonen kneels on the floor of the Pacific Blue Cross wig bank sorting through a stack of boxes, each containing a new, real-hair wig donated by Pantene.
She runs a hand through her own thick, caramel-coloured hair. “I am living proof of hope,” says Moonen, a cancer survivor.
Vancouver’s wig and breast-prosthesis bank, operated by the Canadian Cancer Society, operates out of two small rooms at the Jean C. Barber Lodge, a block away from the B.C. Cancer Agency, and relies on word of mouth to get the message out about what they do.
Wigs aren’t a medical necessity, so their cost isn’t covered by B.C.’s medical plan. For many women, however, a wig can make a difference in how they feel — something that can be crucial to emotional health.
When patients arrive, Moonen knows they’re often feeling as she once did — vulnerable and worried. She can sometimes see it on their faces.
Moonen will share her story, if asked, because she says, as a survivor, she can offer hope.
“They say, ‘You were bald?’ They think, ‘Oh, I might come out of this, too.’”
Moonen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. She had four teenagers at the time. “It was not easy,” says Moonen. “But we came out of it stronger.”
Moonen, who went through “a year of hell” that included surgery, radiation and chemo, also helps guide patients who have undergone mastectomies with temporary breast prostheses and special bras from the breast bank.
Moonen remembers how it felt to lose her hair while she was fighting for her life: “For me it was a symbol. Youcanbeaspositiveasyouwant, but you know people are looking at you as if you are not well.”
The visible symbol of loss can be difficult for others to deal with, too.
Her mother, who had come from
the Netherlands to support her during her illness, couldn’t bear to see her daughter bald. It reminded her of the forced shaving of women’s heads after the Second World War.
“Having gone through the war, she said losing your hair takes away all your dignity,” said Moonan, who was bald for eight months during her treatment.
Dealing with the way others are affected by your illness and treatment is difficult, too: “It’s hard when you go through something like that and you see the people who love you are in pain.”
Like so many patients, Moonen had no idea that real hair wigs, which can cost thousands of dollars, were available through the wig bank.
Sarah Albrecht, manager of the lodge, said the wig bank operates on
an honour system — patients might be referred by a physician or social worker, or simply hear through word of mouth. Out of respect for client confidentiality, there are no hoops to jump through — clients don’t need a doctor’s note, and there are no papers to sign.
Albrecht said the program, which relies on donations, has been transformed and revitalized in recent years by a $150,000 grant from the Pacific Blue Cross Foundation, as well as the partnership with Pantene.
“Pantene accepts donated virgin hair, which can be sent to us or dropped off at any wig-bank location,” said Albrecht. The hair must be real, not dyed or chemically treated, and at least eight inches in length. Pantene takes that hair and transforms it into beautiful real-hair wigs, which they then distribute.”
It takes eight to 15 ponytails to make one real-hair wig.
The prosthetic breast bank operates alongside the wig bank and relies on donations of used prosthetics from the public to stock its shelves. “We have a whole range of different types that are built out in different ways, as well as bras and adhesive nipples,” said Albrecht.
Last year the breast bank fielded 139 requests, providing 104 prostheses and 130 special bras, as well as 162 temporary prostheses “puffs.”
Albrecht said demand for breast prosthetics has eased off a little as the body-acceptance movement has grown, and reconstructive surgery has become more widely available. But the need for wigs has grown.
The wig bank provided wigs to about 1,800 women through four locations across B.C. last year.
Corinne Schelle, 39, was one of those women. Schelle was a new mother to an eight-month-old when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She would undergo 25 rounds of radiation and seven rounds of chemo. Being told she would lose her hair, Schelle said, was yet another blow.
She looked into buying a real hair wig, but couldn’t afford it. In a treatment waiting room she met another young woman who told her about the wig bank. “The volunteer who helped me was really sweet, she was very kind and thoughtful. It was an awesome experience.”
Schelle picked out a wig and was amazed to find she could take it to her hairdresser to have it cut and coloured: “She added some pizzazztoit.”