HealthMarkets Helps The American Cancer Society
HealthMarkets is proud to work with the North Texas Region of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and sponsor their “Wigs Program for Childhood Cancer Patients” for children in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. By providing the funding for this program, HealthMarkets hopes to make a positive difference in a child’s life and in their cancer journey.
An estimated 11,210 children will be diagnosed with cancer this year. A diagnosis of cancer immediately sets a child apart from their peers, and hair loss is one of the most common side effects that occurs once a child has started treatment for the disease. This is devastating for an adult so one can only imagine how it must affect a child. Removing barriers that can interfere with cancer treatments are very important in how well the child responds to treatment.
HealthMarkets shares the view of the ACS that providing wigs to children in treatment, from the beginning of hair loss could provide them with the confidence to return to school or other peer activities while minimizing their feelings of being “different” from others. While a wig may seem like a small token to others, for a child it can mean the difference between being teased for being “different” or the ability to more easily fit in with their peers. Unfortunately, most medical insurance plans do not cover the cost of a wig and the average cost of a child’s wig is typically $200-$400; making them unaffordable for some families.
The North Texas Region of the American Cancer Society is the only North Texas organization providing this service free of charge. HealthMarkets is proud to be able to assist the ACS to remove this potential burden from parents who may not be able to afford a wig for their child due to the other expenses involved in dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
The Wigs Program is available to any childhood cancer patient in the DFW area regardless of financial status; however, priority will be placed on identifying patients from minority and underserved communities to receive this service.
In addition to sponsoring the Wigs Program, HealthMarkets is also a proud sponsor of the Society’s Breast Prosthetics Program for underserved breast cancer patients in the Fort Worth area. Please click here to learn more about the Breast Prosthetics Program.
During the 2011 fiscal year, the American Cancer Society’s North Texas Region provided information, support and tangible services to more than 3,700 cancer patients, family members and caregivers in Tarrant County.
For more information on ACS Wigs Program for Childhood Cancer Patients, please visit www.cancer.org.