It’s nearly impossible to feel great about wearing a new outfit if one’s hair is misbehaving. And let’s be honest, we’ve all experienced such a bad haircut that going anywhere in public is the last thing we want to do! At times like these, reaching for a wig just could be the answer.
I recently met a woman named Carolyn Anderson. She not only knew everything about wigs, i.e., how to make them, clean them, style them, and custom fit them; she explained that many years ago, she and her business partner used to make them for many of the theatrical performances in Minneapolis.
Within the first five minutes of listening to her, I was surprised to find myself fighting back my tears. Once I was able to collect my composure, I began to tear up again, and after the third time, I knew I had to share this story with all of you.
As the owner of a hair salon and spa, Carolyn’s life centered around helping her customers “feel beautiful.” One day in 2011, Carolyn began to work with her first cancer patient, Robin Hahn (no relation to me), who had come to her in need of a wig for a family wedding later that year. Robin had already lost most of her hair due to radiation treatments and had conveyed to Carolyn the importance of not wanting family and relatives to feel sorry for her, especially at such a joyous occasion.
Early that November, Robin and her husband returned to Carolyn’s salon for the final fitting of her wig. As Carolyn was adjusting the fit, she couldn’t help but notice Robin’s husband’s reflection in the mirror. He began to cry as he quietly said, “Thank you for giving me my wife back.” It was that very same moment she heard Robin say, “Thank you for giving me my life back!”
Understandably, it was a very moving moment for all three of them. Shortly after that, Carolyn hesitated as she found it nearly impossible to hand the bill for the wig to Robin’s husband. It was as though her legs had turned to stone. It was tearing her up inside to ask for any kind of payment, considering all that they were going through.
Only four months later, in March of 2012, Carolyn called Robin to inquire how she was feeling. Robin answered her phone, and when the question was posed to her, Robin conveyed she felt “it would be soon.” It was at that moment that Carolyn told Robin how she had made a difference in Carolyn’s life back in November. She told Robin what she had done upon arriving home that evening. Carolyn said, “I met with my husband Brian to tell him I would never again charge another cancer patient for a wig.” She and her husband started a non-profit called “Angel Hair” because of her experience with Robin. After hearing this, Robin said to Carolyn, “I will do everything I can from the other side to hopefully help make it a success for others.”
Although the first two years were financed with their own family money, eventually, one by one, people everywhere began to chip in. Soon, donations of money, gently used wigs, handmade jewelry, books, and volunteers gave their time to help refurbish the donated wigs. As far away as New York, word of this little non-profit caught the attention of a few big-time businesses.
One company in New York regularly received all of QVC’s leftover inventory. Upon receiving a large inventory of wigs, they called Carolyn to ask if she wanted them but said she would have to pay the shipping charges. Unfortunately, she did not have the funds to do so at that time. So, she politely had to decline the very generous offer. At that, the company said, “If you agree to take 100% of the inventory, we will cover 100% of the shipping cost.” A few days later, a semi pulled up in front of her salon in Deephaven and unloaded 4,000 wigs on a pallet!
Securing a complimentary wig via “Angel Hair” does require a signature from your doctor, and you will need to fill out an application. For this, go to angelhairforcancer.org. To view the different styles of the many “Previously Loved” wigs, simply go to carolynandersonsalon.com and click on STORE.
I would like to thank Cindra Nicolay for bringing this special angel, Carolyn, her husband Brian, and their many friends, co-workers, and volunteers who continue to make this world a more beautiful place, inside and outside, to my attention. It’s heartwarming to be able to shine a light on those who want and do make a difference.
As Carolyn was adjusting the fit, she couldn’t help but notice Robin’s husband’s reflection in the mirror. He began to cry as he quietly said, “Thank you for giving me my wife back.” It was that very same moment she heard Robin say, “Thank you for giving me my life back!”