Hair loss can occur when chemotherapy drugs travel throughout the body to kill cancer cells and some of these drugs damage hair follicles, causing the hair to fall out. Losing one’s hair is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatment. Many patients will not go through this, yet many will lose their hair, eyebrows and even eyelashes. This can be a traumatic experience, especially for women.
Synthetic and Natural Human Hair Wigs
Most CANSA Care Centres have wig-banks that stock synthetic and human hair wigs available to patients. The availability, styles and colours vary at each CANSA Care Centre.
- hiring of synthetic wig: R350 per month
- donation towards natural hair wig: R350* – this does not include courier fees to clients
*when human hair donations are received, CANSA sends the hair to our dedicated wigmakers who make wigs and return them to CANSA. Your donation enables CANSA to make this possible.
*patient’s income is taken into consideration
Upon request wigs made from human hair may be ordered from CANSA’s Head Office if there is no regional stock available at the time. Requests for human hair wigs may be directed to Lucinda Carter lcarter@cansa.org.za
How Can I Donate My Ponytail to CANSA?
Headwear
CompassionHat
Compassionhat provides quality headwear for people suffering hair loss or who have sensitive scalps due to side effects of cancer treatment and products have received the CANSA Seal of Recognition in the Patient Care category.
Find more information on hats that provide protection from the sun and have been approved as CANSA Seal of Recognition partners in the Protection category.
Compassionhat products are available at CANSA Care Centres or shop online.
Support Resources for cancer Survivors & Loved Ones
Find additional online resources for cancer Survivors (anyone who has heard the words ‘you have cancer’) or loved ones, and about coping with cancer.
