ROCKFORD—Perhaps fittingly, a cancer center named for a vibrant woman is home to the American Cancer Society’s newest wig boutique.

And, except that it lacks a wash sink, walking in is like entering a small hair salon just off the entrance to the OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center’s Patricia D. Pepe Center for Cancer Care. The boutique, formerly housed at the cancer society office, was designed into the plans for the center.

Towering shelves of wigs line one wall, and next to them are cozy hats, an alternative for times when a woman — or man — undergoing chemotherapy may want a more casual look.

Father Pierre Polycarpe, chaplain at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, blessed the new wig boutique. He emphasized the importance of caring for cancer victims and others because it is a sign of God’s mercy and love.

Staffing the boutique are OSF volunteers, several of them cancer survivors who once took advantage of the free wig services.

Liz Green of Rockford is an OSF volunteer who has not suffered from cancer, but she is happy to be part of the boutique staff.

“I thank God for the opportunity to serve others, those that are going through this,” she said at an open house May 16.

Marge Beckman of Belvidere is also an OSF volunteer and a cancer survivor. She was among women who have been helped by the wig service when she was in chemotherapy.

“It gives me a chance to give back to all who gave to me,” she says of her volunteering.

Two more boutique volunteers who are cancer survivors are in a support group with Beckman. They are Patty Peterson of Roscoe and Susan Veruchi of Rockford.

Peterson, a member of Church of the Holy Spirit in Roscoe, began working to raise money for cancer a year before her sister died of the disease. She has continued to work for the cause through her own cancer treatment. She has taken part in several walks and activities, such as Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, to raise money to fund services such as the wig boutique.

Veruchi says having cancer survivors working in the boutique also helps its “customers” feel more comfortable. “We know what it’s like,” she says.

“And it grows back,” added Beckman.

Jessica Dominguez of Belvidere and her sister, Jacqueline Chavera of Rockford, attended the open house. Both OSF Saint Anthony employees, Dominguez works in guest relations and Chavera is a secretary for the physical therapy department.

“It was excellent … awesome,” Chavera says of her sister’s experience with the wig service. “It was a little sad for her, losing her hair. The wigs brought a little joy to her.”

Dominguez had fun with the wigs. She lost her wavy, thick dark hair but decided to go for a whole new look. Her wigs were blond and red and, for once, she had straight hair.

“Oh my stars,” Dominquez says. “It made you feel whole again. If you look good, you feel better.”
Anyone in the Rockford area who is receiving treatment for cancer and losing his or her hair can call 815/227-2618 to make an appointment at the wig boutique at OSF Saint Anthony.

“It’s important that (people) know that they do not have to be treated at OSF to use this wig boutique,” says Amy Jo Steinbruecker, communications manager, for the American Cancer Society division based in Oakbrook Terrace.