Wig
Bank

Wig Bank

What is it?

The Wig Bank is located at Gippsland Women’s Health in Sale for women who have experienced hair loss due to chemotherapy. It operates similarly to a lending library where wigs are available for short and long term loans.

Wigs can be borrowed for short-term, for special occasions or for longer periods of time. We can assist with fittings and styling of the wigs.

There is no cost to borrow the wig, but there may be a small one off cost to purchase the care pack (shampoo, conditioner, brush) to maintain the wig.

Why is it important?

For many women, hair loss can be one of the most distressing and visible side-effects of treatment for cancer. To have a wig bank where women can be fitted free of charge, for an attractive and suitable wig is a great asset which gives women the confidence to cope with their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Who is eligible?

The Wig Bank is open to all women residing in Gippsland who have experienced hair loss following chemotherapy. 

Using the Wig Bank

For further information, or to make an appointment, please contact Wig Bank Coordinator Lynette Teese on (03) 5143 1600 or email admin@gwhealth.asn.au.

Donating hair

As the location for a Wig Bank we often get enquiries about hair donation. Gippsland Women’s Health does not take donations of hair but we are aware of three organisation in Australia that do. Variety Australia www.variety.com.au who make wigs for children and young people and Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation www.aaaf.com.au who make wigs for adults, both take hair and have comprehensive information on their websites for what is required.  The third organisation is Sustainable Salons  www.sustainablesalons.org/donate-your-ponytail/ who also have a web page dedicated to hair donations, this organisation collects and sends hair to charitable wig makers and also to the two above organisations.

Acknowledgement

The establishment of the Wig Bank at Gippsland Women’s Health has been made possible by a generous donation from local artist Ken Roberts.

He feels the funds from the sale of paintings from his “Local Women” exhibition is a positive way to help local women and honour his mother Jean Roberts, who survived cancer, but who sadly passed away in April 2010.