A few years ago, the American Cancer Society decided to establish wig banks/boutiques where patients could select from dozens of new wigs at no cost, regardless of income. Wigs can even be specially ordered from a centralized ACS inventory if necessary, also at no cost. They are brand new wigs, purchased by the Society, most are synthetic, but some are real human hair, like those received through a national partnership with Pantene and the Beautiful Lengths program.
The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) newest Wig Boutique is located at Pocono Medical Center inside the Hughes Cancer Center on the first floor in East Stroudsburg, PA.
Trained volunteers are still needed to help staff the Wig/ ACS Resource Room. Volunteers can assist patients with finding information about their cancer, assist with wig and hat fittings, and offer referrals to the ACS for free patient programs and services available in their community.
If you like one-on-one and small group interaction, are a cancer survivor, have been a caregiver, or have had a family member of friend diagnosed with cancer, you will appreciate the experience of being an American Cancer Society wig boutique volunteer. As a trained volunteer with the American Cancer Society, you get to help cancer patients and family members through their cancer experience. It is a rewarding and fulfilling position where you provide encouragement, wig fitting and information, and additional ACS referral services. You get to serve your community and meet new people. Flexible scheduling is an option.
All cancer patients are eligible to receive a brand new wig provided by ACS at this boutique, regardless of where they are being treated. Patients receive a one-on-one consultation and wig fitting with a specially trained ACS volunteer. After a wig is selected, volunteers teach patients how to care for and style their wigs.
“Wigs and turbans are available free of charge and if a patient can’t find a suitable one at the wig boutique, they can select one from our wig inventory booklet and have one ordered for them”, stated Erin Moskel, Account Representative of the American Cancer Society. “Seeing the transformation in patients before and after their wig selection is amazing,” said Moskel. “It is completely gratifying for me.”
The Wig Boutique is open by appointment only. To schedule an appointment for a free wig fitting, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.
- The wig fitting opportunities take place during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
- Volunteers must go through local training to be familiar with the American Cancer Society’s wig boutique guidelines and patient services.
- Additional confidentiality training and non-solicitation policies will also be reviewed.
- Volunteers must be prepared to provide compassionate assistance to cancer patients, family members and friends and offer non-biased, up-to-date Cancer information provided through the American Cancer Society.
If you think that this volunteer opportunity sounds like something of interest to you, please don’t hesitate and call the American Cancer Society at 570-562-9749 and ask for Jennifer Washney or Erin Moskel. Thank you in advance!
Contacts: Erin Moskel, 570-562-9749 x 319 /erin.moskel@cancer.org
Or Jennifer Washney, 570-562-9749 330/ jennifer.washney@cancer.org
# # #
