Birthdays are Special, Especially When You Are a Cancer Survivor
Margaret Hallden’s annual gift to the American Cancer Society (ACS) allows the organization to run a full-time office at the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center in Waterbury. In addition to many patient support programs, ACS also offers Reflections Boutique which provides free wigs and head coverings for patients.
“The boutique is a priceless resource for our patients,” said Jessica Tynan, ACS community relationship manager. Jessica manages the ACS office and even helps cancer patients select their wigs.
In November 2009, Dr. Clare Ventre, a breast cancer survivor, and her husband Craig Carragan (pictured at left) hosted a birthday party for Reflections Boutique. Remembering how other women gave Clare their old wigs when she was undergoing cancer treatment, she and Craig opened Reflections Boutique in 2004 so women could try on wigs in private and keep them at no cost. That year, the Southbury couple also established the Clare and Craig Carragan Fund at CCF to support their project forever and help keep the boutique fully stocked.
“Reflections Boutique is unique,” said Craig. “Other cancer centers across the country sell wigs to cancer patients often at wholesale or reduced prices. It was our intention from the start that our merchandise was to be given to cancer patients free of charge.”
“You see the relief on our patients’ faces when they realize that they can choose any of our head coverings for free,” added Jessica.
According to Craig, in five years the boutique has given away more than 2,000 wigs, and 4,000 hats, turbans and other head coverings to cancer patients.
