Wigs and makeup offered to cancer patients at Benbrook Medical Center
The loss of hair and discoloration of skin can take a mental toll on a patient going through chemotherapy — a side effect that can tire them out physically and mentally.
Patients at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at Benbrook Medical Center can regain some of that identity, however, through a bimonthly program that provides wigs and makeup to people being treated for cancer.
Stacy Meyer, oncology patient navigator for Independence Health System, operates Styling It Right & Looking Your Best, which provides these materials to patients.
For instance, Meyer provided wigs for Corrie Nye, of Franklin Township, who had a wedding to attend between her cancer treatments. Nye had shaved her head after losing “clumps” because of recent radiation therapy, so Meyer fitted her for a wig, as well as wigs for Nye’s two preteen daughters.
Nye said the experience was positive because it made a difficult part of the cancer treatment process more comfortable for her and her daughters.
“My oldest had this hot pink 1990s gem wig, and my middle daughter had a great purple wig, and they still have them,” Nye said. “They’ll put them on every now and then ... they remember that it was a positive experience”
Nye also credited Meyer with being “fantastic through a lot of treatment and everything and just being a supportive person.” She said getting a wig for herself and her daughters was only one of the first great experiences she had with Meyer and her Styling It Right program.
“Stacy is magical in that she can take something so incredibly difficult and make it into something fun and memorable — a complete 180,” Nye said.
Styling It Right & Looking Your Best meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the third Thursday of every other month at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 102 Technology Drive, Suite 250, in Butler Township.
The sessions teach “everything you need to know about caring for your wig and hairpieces, as well as how to wear a variety of accessories.” Meyer said there is also a stylist who attends each session.
“Our stylist completes the demonstration and teaches the class,” Meyer said. “I assist.”
Makeup is also provided for the program’s leaders to demonstrate makeup techniques, according to a flyer for Styling It Right.
To reserve a spot at a meeting, call Meyer at 724-431-1822.
