About Us
Donate A Wig (DAW), is an international charity helping cancer patients cope with the appearance related side effects of their treatment.
We provide free wigs, makeovers, confidence boosting workshops and practical advice for women in the underprivileged communities in Africa.
– Milicent K. (Cancer Survivor, Kenya)
Donate A Wig started as a passion in 2018 after the founder Grace Oggudah responded to a Facebook appeal for Wigs for cancer patients in Kenya. Having studied Radiotherapy she was familiar with the challenges cancer patients faced in coping with the appearance-related side effects from their treatment. Through friends and the local church, over 50 wigs were donated and since then the Make Over now named
‘Feel Good Makeover Day’ has become a regular event in which women going through treatment from the underprivileged areas of Kenya who would have not been in a position to obtain a wig are now able to access one for free as well as receive tips on make-up application to help boost confidence and self-esteem.
#donateawig
DAW works to address the needs and gaps in the care of Cancer Patients and Survivors in Africa. We identify that Cancer diagnosis and treatment can visibly alter aspects of one’s identity such as hair loss which may, in turn, heighten concerns about body image and beauty. Although the loss of hair may seem pale in comparison to life-saving treatment, it can still have a great impact on one’s quality of life. Our mission is to make free wigs accessible to every woman who needs it to help boost their emotional and physical well-being.
our initiatives
Our initiatives address the gaps in the care of Cancer Patients in some parts of Africa by providing free wigs, makeovers and confidence boosting workshops for women undergoing cancer treatment. We design a space with a goal of helping women cope with some of the appearance changes and side effects that can accompany their treatment.
Feel good makeover day
Our makeover day starts with a warm welcome from the team after which a quick guided ice- breaker exercise is carried out to encourage you to network and get to know each other. Light refreshments are then offered as a briefing of the days program is shared by one of the DAW volunteers and a briefing of the resources available and how to access them. Finally the makeovers gets underway before lunch is served. We also give a box of dried food to each lady to help support you for a couple of days after the makeover.
CONFIDENCE BUILDING WORKSHOPS
Fighting cancer is not just a physical battle but an emotional one too. In these workshops we also tend to your emotional needs. In the workshop you will learn some practical tools you can apply to help you feel more confident in dealing with emotional issues such as anxiety, anger, depression and uncertainty. You are taught some relaxation techniques that you can apply to help you refresh your mind and body. By the end of the workshop you will also have the increased your ability to handle stressful situations.
It's more
than a wig
It's more
than a makeover
It gets tiring when you have been fighting for so as long I have and it’s initiatives like this that keep us going. It’s a special thing to be seen and to be heard. We are thankful for the visit and grateful to know that we are remembered. – Laila
