A grant awarded to South Central Cancer Resource (SCCR) at Friday night's Carman and Area Foundation Gala for $1,000, will go towards a valuable resource for those who lose their hair during treatment.
Administrative Resource Coordinator Leora Hamm explained the sacred room.
"Our wig and head-covering room has a really special name, it's called 'Hope Haven.' It is a room of hope, where women in particular come, and they select as many wigs as they would like and it's all free. They can take them home; they can use them as long as they want. We also have hundreds of head coverings women can borrow, as well. They're free to take what they need."
Hamm described the value of these wigs and head-coverings.
"These wigs and head coverings are special, because not only do they cover hair, but they give women confidence to go out and get their groceries without being asked, 'Why do you have no hair?' They can go to family functions; they can go on holidays. We have a couple of wigs, right now, down in Mexico with one of our clients. She is just living her best life right now, fighting cancer, out on the beach, wearing a very blonde wig."
She is grateful for a local maker, Bennett and Rose, who make bamboo head coverings and sells them to SCCR at a reduced cost.
"When women come here to select a wig or head covering, it's a special time. A lot of them come expecting to feel excitement at selecting a wig, but when they see the selection we have, they're overwhelmed and feel a little sad because they know a tough part is coming in their cancer journey. This grant we have received from the Carman and Area Foundation is important. It's going to help us upkeep and maintain our head coverings in particular."
Shear Bliss in Morden partners in many ways with SCCR, which is only funded by donations and grants. One is by providing free head shaves for anyone who needs them, when the time comes.
Hamm said at the sold-out SCCR fashion show later this month (April 26th at the Access Event Centre in Morden) a 20-year cancer survivor will share her story.
"Her children were very young when she was diagnosed, and she has a story to tell about the day she had her husband shave her head, and how emotional it was when the day came she knew her husband needed to shave her head. The story she tells is her husband prayed before he shaved her, and he said this is not something a husband should ever have to do for his wife, but it is something a husband should do for his wife. In that moment God studied his hand, and and he shaved his wife's hair."
This is just one of the many stories they hear at SCCR.
"Working here has given me such joy and insight into the struggles of other people and how communities can come together and support an organization like this, who gives women and cancer patients so much hope in their journey."
This donation is just one of many given out at last night's Carman and Area Foundation Gala, with a total of $150,000 grants handed out.