‘EBeauty.com munity’ Provides Wigs for Cancer Patients
By: Susan Belford
Breast cancer survivor Carolyn Callahan Keller knows what it’s like to receive the devastating diagnoses of breast cancer, go through mastectomy surgery and chemotherapy — and lose her hair. She had her first bout in 2004 and again two years later. Then her sister-in-law was diagnosed — and then another sister-in-law.
She had already given her own wigs to a friend but her sister-in-law passed her wig to the other sister-in-law. That’s when Keller came up with the idea of “passing wigs forward” and forming a non-profit to make it all happen.
Keller’s EBeauty.com munity is only 4 months old — and already making a difference in the lives of women with cancer. The non-profit has created an exchange program in which wigs are donated to www.EBeauty.com and then offered free of charge to women undergoing chemotherapy. Keller and her friend Donna Greenfield who supported her through her cancer treatments and in starting up EBeauty.com realize that self-esteem is one of the factors of staying positive during cancer treatment — and the wigs that cover the bare head during chemotherapy are as important as the treatment.
They also know that the community of breast cancer survivors, friends, family and neighbors is incredibly important while one is going through cancer treatment — thus, the “munity” was added to EBeauty.com munity.
“We act as a team and combine our efforts,” said Greenfield. “We have a huge team running the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure — our team is called the “Fighting Koalas.” We all shared ideas about what we could do to support other women going through cancer treatment — and then Carolyn came up with the idea. It’s so important for a woman’s self-esteem to feel beautiful and good about herself — and there is no other organization that facilitates the exchange of wigs. It’s such a wonderful concept.” Greenfield serves on the Advisory Board.
A wig is $700 – $5000 — and many women cannot afford the cost of the treatment as well as that of a wig. Insurance policies often refuse to cover wigs as a part of the cancer treatment. Women who have finished their treatment may not want to keep their wigs, but the cost of cleaning and refurbishing is quite high — and there has previously been no vehicle for donating them. EBeauty.com makes it easy to donate — and also provides a charitable donation tax receipt creating a “win-win” situation for everyone involved.
“Having undergone these treatments myself, I understand the need to feel empowered and to control the things I can control. Chemo is a necessary evil and the loss of your hair is a sign it is working and we believe that is a ‘Beautiful Thing.’ EBeauty represents ‘beauty without boundaries’,” Keller said.
The non-profit’s vision is to provide access to all women, regardless of their financial status or remote location, to obtain the help they need to restore their self-image and confidence during cancer treatment. The organization works with the Wheaton wig shop Amy’s of Denmark, Eivind and Hans Salon and Spa of Georgetown and Salon Jean in Bethesda to refurbish and restyle the wigs for a perfect fit. Both provide drop-off locations as does Sibley Hospital Breast Center and Dr. Frederick P. Smith Oncology. Edge-Fund Advisors and Glazer-Winston provided financial support to help the non-profit get started.
The EBeauty Community provides a forum to support each other through sharing, advice and gifts of love. To donate or wig — or to request a wig, go to the website, www.EBeauty.com and sign up. The organization will be featured at the NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo on Jan.14 and 15 at the Washington D.C. Convention Center.
Originally printed in the Potomac Almanac.
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