QUINCY, ILL. -- They've spent their careers caring for the sick, and now, two Blessing-Rieman nurses are looking for ways to make their patients feel better when they're at their worst.
Autumn Voss and her colleague Barb Vahle are taking part in the Pantene Beautiful Lengths project, which gives free, real hair wigs to cancer patients who've lost their hair during treatment.
"Cancer, itself, is a battle. So, losing the things to you that make you feel good on the outside as well as the inside is really hard. Having a wig or multiple wigs to choose from that lets you see that personality you really are is really beneficial for patients. It makes them feel good," Autumn Voss, a nursing instructor at Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing said.
Both Voss and Vahle have seen first hand the effects cancer can have an a person.
"Since we both lost our mothers to cancer, we decided this would be a good way to give back to the community in honor of them," Voss said.
The two have organized a day dedicated to making a difference in the lives of cancer patients. They've teamed up with Nancy Maggliochetti at Studio 835 in Quincy. On April 4, anyone who wants to donate at least 8 inches of their hair can stop by the salon and make the cut.
"She's going to do all the hair. Her and the girls at her salon. they've set up a day for us," Voss said.
Close to 25 people have already signed up to make the cut, including Voss and Vahle.
"We're trying to get as many people in the community involved. We also want the students to see how giving back really does give back to patients. So, the benefit of doing something as little as saving your hair, cutting it off so someone else can feel beautiful," Voss said.
There are some requirements before stepping into the chair. Your hair must not be bleached, dyed or have been chemically-treated.
"People that have already cut their hair have been sending me their ponytails, so we hope to have a very good turnout for this," Voss said.
The Pantene Beautiful Lengths program has donated 24,000 free, real wigs to the American Cancer Society's wig banks.
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