MARRERO, LA – The Cancer Center at West Jefferson Medical Center will offer Wig Clinics the second Wednesday of every month at 1:00 p.m.
The free clinic will take place at 4511 West Bank Expressway in the Conference Room of the Cancer Center. The free Wig Clinic is being offered especially for patients with cancer who are beginning a cancer journey. Wigs are in higher demand during this time of the year due to the traditionally cooler weather.
“This is great news for the West Bank,” Registered Nurse Vanessa Batson, the Director of Oncology Services at West Jefferson Medical Center, said. “We’ve had the Look Good, Feel Better program at West Jefferson for many years but not an individual Wig Clinic. It’s something our patients have recently expressed an interest in. Now, due to the generosity of volunteers, including our stylist and generous donors, we are able to introduce the free clinic for our patients and community.”
Patients may bring their own wigs to be styled by a professional hair stylist or select a wig from the Cancer Center while wig supplies are available, Batson, a member of LCMC Health, said.
“The stylist and oncology staff will discuss comforting ways for individuals to deal with hair loss during cancer therapy and appearance related side effects,” Mary Cosper, a West Jefferson social worker who is coordinating the free Wig Clinic, said. “A diagnosis of cancer is a stressful time for our patients and a very common concern is what they will do when they lose their hair. The Wig Clinic has been a great resource for patients to not only meet with a stylist who is experienced in wig care, but also to meet with other patients who may be experiencing similar feelings.”
This community service is made possible by donors to the West Jefferson Hospital Foundation including organizations, churches, schools, hair salons and individuals.
“We can also accept gently-used wigs,” Melissa Mo-Billiot, the Executive Director of the West Jefferson Hospital Foundation, said. “Our volunteer stylist will graciously clean and restyle them for further use by deserving patients who would love to have a new wig. Chances are ladies or men will have wigs in their closets they no longer use. The new Wig Clinic at the Cancer Center at West Jeff may be their perfect next home for the idle hair piece which can bring a smile to a patient beginning or about to start their treatment journey.”
