The Gathering Place launches wigs fundraiser

The Gathering Place, located in the Sandy Borrelli Center, 25425 Center Ridge Road in Westlake, announced a new fundraising campaign created with Regina Brett, New York Times bestselling author and Cleveland Jewish News columnist, to launch the Sisterhood of the Traveling Wigs, a mobile wig salon, according to a news release.

The Regina Brett Traveling Wig

Salon will take wigs and other support items into the communities where women need them most, especially minority women in underserved areas who have higher mortality rates from cancer, the release said.

Inspired by her own cancer experience, Brett created the Regina Brett Wig Salon at The Gathering Place’s Beachwood location in 2012, opening two more at the organization’s Westlake location and MetroHealth.

The salons ensure woman experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment have access to free wigs in a compassionate environment, according to the release.

“I wanted to do something special to celebrate my cancer-versary,” Brett said in the release. “I never imagined living 25 years past my diagnosis.

“I ‘get’ to grow old. So, let’s dare something mighty. Let’s raise $25,000 in 25 days to bring hope to women.”

So often the cost of wigs becomes an added difficulty to the already high cost of cancer care, the release said.

“Thanks to the generosity of Regina and the community we will be able to directly serve community members in the Greater Cleveland area who may face barriers in accessing our services,” said Michele Seyranian, CEO of The Gathering Place, in the release. “The mobile salon will also allow us to create greater awareness across all of Northeast Ohio regarding the wide array of offerings the Gathering Place provides free of charge for all in our community.”

To support The Sisterhood of the Traveling Wigs campaign, visit touchedbycancer.org/travelingwigsalon or send check by mail to 23300 Commerce Park, Beachwood, OH 44122.

The Gathering Place is a nonprofit, community-based cancer support center that focuses on the social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of individuals with cancer and their family and friends.