MARGARET Rock has people turning their heads for all the right reasons.
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The Tamworth Lioness Wig Library volunteer helps women diagnosed with cancer look their best during some of the toughest days of their lives.
“They don’t walk out of that room unless they are 100 per cent happy with it, just the look on their face – their eyes brighten up and it’s unbelievable,” she said.
“You have no idea until you see it, when you put the wig on and it looks beautiful I’m prepared to stay as long as they need, my time is their time.”
The wig library started in October 2002, when the former president of the Tamworth Lioness Club lost a good friend to cancer.
It became abundantly clear during the woman’s journey that there were limited options for women looking to cover up once they lost their hair to treatment.
Now, the wig library contains over 200 different colours and styles, Ms Rock will order specific colours in for any of the ladies – she truly believes how someone feels about themselves can impact their strength and outlook fighting cancer.
“You get people who are struggling and to be able to help them walk out of that room feeling more confident and looking beautiful again is special,” she said.
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The wig library received a donation of $500 from JobLink Plus at a thank you morning tea on Friday.
The money will help purchase new wigs, but even the more worn wigs are donated on to charity and second hand shops if they’re still in good nick.
The wigs are hired out to women for a small fee, but, Ms Rock has those that would rather wear a headscarf covered as well.
An avid sewer, she makes all of the turbans and head covers herself which are sold to the women to keep.
“I’ve always been a sewer, I’ve sewed everything from wedding dresses and my own clothes – but I don’t do that anymore, all I do now is sew the turbans for people,” she said.
“Because I do the Look Good Feel Better program as well, I come across a lot of cancer patients, I also volunteer with Cancer Council and up at the cancer centre – I come across a lot of ladies there that I get to talk to.”
The Look Good Feel Better program received $500 from JobLink Plus on Friday, a workshop that teaches women with cancer how to manage appearance related side effects of cancer treatment.
The workshops cover skin care, make up and headwear, with the aim of increasing their confidence, women learn how to address common side effects like skin dryness, sun sensitivity, makeup to conceal redness, sallowness and pigmentation.
To access the wig library visit lionsclubs.org or the Cancer Council office.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
