Free Wig Salon at Pennsylvania Hospital
Hair. It’s big. And I’m not just talking about the 1980’s.
Hair is our only built-in body adornment, capable of infinite versatility – if you have it.
Often referred to as one’s “crowning glory,” the significance of hair spans centuries. It was the source of Samson’s strength in the Bible and the only body part to have a still-running musical and its own subsequent movie. (For all you nit-pickers out there, My Left Foot was never made into a musical.) Still don’t think hair is big? Then stop to think about all the exorbitant amounts spent annually around the world on the maintenance, enhancement and restoration of hair.
For as big as hair is, there’s only one thing bigger – losing it. While it’s become acceptable – fashionable even – for men to go for the Mr. Clean look instead of suffering the time-elapsed humiliation of an ever-retreating hairline, it is just not the same for women. What could be worse for a woman’s self esteem than losing her hair? How about having cancer, the treatment for which causes hair loss?
“For a woman, losing her hair to cancer treatments can be very traumatic,” said Debi Page Ferrarello, RN, MS, IBCLC, director of Family Education at Pennsylvania Hospital. “However, with the advancements in therapies today, doctors are able to tell a woman when she can expect her hair to start falling out. So she doesn’t have to wait until she loses her hair to seek help. She can now come into our Solutions for Women boutique and get fitted for a free wig before she actually needs it.”
Just announced this summer, women who experience hair loss as a result of cancer treatment can get 
help at Solutions for Women at Pennsylvania Hospital. Working with the Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital, Solutions, a unique boutique featuring specialty women's health, cancer, maternity and breastfeeding support products, is now a provider of the American Cancer Society’s (ACC) Free Wig Salon Program. The goal of this relatively new program is to provide wigs to any cancer patient who would like one – and for free. Solutions is the only site in Center City offering this service and one of only two sites in all of Philadelphia.
Women with medical hair loss can come to the boutique and choose a high quality, brand new wig to take home at absolutely no cost. There is variety of colors and styles to choose from and wigs are made to be adjusted to fit comfortably. And for those women who prefer to go sans wig, Solutions also has a fine array of stylish hats, scarves and fun jewelry.
Solutions for Women’s, located at 721 Delancey Street is open during the summer every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 am to 3 pm. Appointments are not necessary but appreciated. Please call 215-829-5046 for more information or to make an appointment.
The affects of the Wig Salon are much more than cosmetic. “Having access to this service – free of charge – can be stress relieving for our female cancer patients. This is one less financial burden and one less thing they need to worry about during probably one of the most challenging and frightening times of their lives,” said Ferrarello. It’s also an opportunity for women to relax a bit and boost their spirits. They can come into the Solutions boutique with family and friends, even their stylist, and take action in helping themselves look the best they can and feel better.”
Learn more about managing side effects from cancer treatment.