When Marg Stirling of Forbes started frequenting the gym as part of a rehab program for her back and knees, the thought never crossed her mind that she would be so inspired to help women diagnosed with breast cancer that she would shave off all her hair.
During Marg’s physio treatments she became aware of a group of ladies also visiting the gym that were there for breast cancer exercises. She already knew quite a few of them and got to know some of the others during this time.
“Once I got involved with the ladies after seeing them as well as hearing of the others, I thought it would be nice to do something to give back to them and others that might go through the same thing.”
In that came her motivation to raise funds for women living in Forbes and surrounding areas that are going through breast cancer and who are in the care of Lachlan Health Services McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Dianne Green.
The intention of raising money is to buy material headwear (which can be quite expensive) and stock, replace and maintain wigs at the local Wig Library, run by Janice Cassidy of Cassidy’s Hair Salon in Parkes.
Dianne explains that when women go through chemotherapy, losing their hair is one of the most daunting realities. “Looking in the mirror and realising that it’s not the person down the road with breast cancer, ‘I’ve got breast cancer’, can be overwhelming. For these women being able to wear a wig or headwear is crucial.”
The Wig Library services all people living around the Central West that is losing their hair because of cancer treatment. “People come to us to find a wig that suits them.
We style it to suit their face and we also shampoo wigs that are worn very often. It’s all free of charge and they can have the wig as long as they need it,” said Janice. “It gives the majority of people more confidence. If you look good, you feel better and it also protects their tender scalp from the sun.”
Marg will be hosting her first fundraising event at the Forbes Inn on Sunday, 8th April. To purchase tickets for the event or to donate to her cause contact Marg on 0412 023 043.
On Saturday, 16th June at the Forbes Rugby Union Club, Marg will finally be shaving her hair, which she will then donate to make a wig from.
By Gizell van Wyk