Cancer therapies can have many effects on cancer patients with many experiencing a devastating hair loss. Fortunately, through the support of the CentraCare Health Foundation, we are able to provide individuals with the unique support they need.

The Enhancement Program provides cancer patients with a one-on-one consultation with a licensed cosmetologist. In the consultation, a patient can have an individualized fitting of a wig, sleeping hat, Cathy Cap, turban and an outdoor hat. Each patient can choose from over 500 wigs, and the cosmetologist teaches how to care for and maintain the wig. If needed, the wig is also cut and styled. This program is offered at no cost to patients.

Sandi Schulzetenberg (left) providing a consultation

About Sandi
Sandi Schulzetenberg is a volunteer who helps cancer patients by fitting and styling wigs. She also goes through the maintenance and care of their wig. She has served hundreds of cancer patients age 3-80 in her nearly 18 years volunteering.

What motivates you?
I do what I do because of the woman who calls me to make an appointment for a wig fitting and can hardly get the words out of her mouth without crying. I do what I do for the look that the husband gets in his eyes when he sees his wife with hair again. I do what I do for the mother who wants to have hair so her little children won’t be afraid of her. This is truly a position in which I receive tenfold for what I do. Many women have told me that when they heard they had cancer it was life altering, but then to find out that you’ll lose your hair it’s almost as bad as finding out you have cancer.

Sandy’s stories…

A husband brought his wife in for a wig fitting with me in July 2005 when going through cancer treatment. They were so impressed with the Enhancement Program that they asked where the money came from for the program. I explained people contribute funds to the CentraCare Health Foundation which are used directly for this purpose. In October 2006, his wife lost her battle with cancer. Her husband honored his wife’s wish to help women with cancer by giving $5,000 in memory of his wife.

A mom called to say her 3-year-old daughter was going though cancer treatment for the second time, and she wanted to bring her in for a wig fitting. The little girl was fascinated by the mannequin heads displaying the wigs. She asked if she could have one of the “babies” (mannequin heads). It was very evident that the little girl had no interest in the wig or having hair again, all she wanted was one of those “babies.” For her mother, however, it was a very different story. The mother wanted to see her little girl looking the way she looked before she got sick. When they left, the little girl sported her new blonde wig, and carried her “baby” under her arm. The tears in her mom’s eyes told the whole story.

I met with a woman, who was five months pregnant and about to start chemotherapy. As we found the perfect wig for her, it became evident that she just needed to talk. At the end of her appointment, she wore her new “hair” and said how much better she felt. She couldn’t wait to get home to show her husband her new look. This had been a good day for her.

The Enhancement Program is located in the Breast Center at the CentraCare Health Plaza. If you are receiving care through the CentraCare Health System and are interested in a consultation, please call (320) 253-3875 and press 3 to leave a message. Appointments are available for Tuesday mornings.

The Enhancement Program is funded through generous support from CentraCare Health Foundation.