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.
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. Additionally, HealthMarkets is proud to be able 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.
By sponsoring this program for children, HealthMarkets hopes to make a positive impact on the child’s self confidence as well as their attitude toward completing the treatment regimen. When a child is out of school or not participating in their normal activities, depression, lack of interest, and poor self-esteem can result. Without their “job” or school, children can feel like a ship out of water. Children have a sense of purpose in school or their other activities and receive the clear message that they have a bright future and the potential for a full recovery from cancer. 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.
The Wigs Program will be 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.
The ACS will work with Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas, and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. Staff from these facilities have expressed a need for this program and have agreed to identify patients in need of a wig and assist the ACS in coordination of the service.
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. Additionally, HealthMarkets is proud to be able 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.
By sponsoring this program for children, HealthMarkets hopes to make a positive impact on the child’s self confidence as well as their attitude toward completing the treatment regimen. When a child is out of school or not participating in their normal activities, depression, lack of interest, and poor self-esteem can result. Without their “job” or school, children can feel like a ship out of water. Children have a sense of purpose in school or their other activities and receive the clear message that they have a bright future and the potential for a full recovery from cancer. 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.
The Wigs Program will be 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.
The ACS will work with Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas, and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. Staff from these facilities have expressed a need for this program and have agreed to identify patients in need of a wig and assist the ACS in coordination of the service.
For more information on American Cancer Society, please visit www.cancer.org.