Northern Ont. hairstyling students' event aims to normalize wig-wearing
Students in Sault College's hairstyling program are raising awareness of a program designed to help those dealing with hair loss and remove the stigma of wearing wigs. To that end, they're organizing the "Wigged Out Walk-a-Thon" in support of the college's wig clinic.
"As a student myself, I was unaware that the college had a wig clinic," said Kayla Matthews, coordinator of the event. "So this year, with COVID, we decided that we would go in the direction of an awareness campaign and let everyone know that we do offer that service, and I think it's a great service for the community."
For the last seven years, the Sault College Wig Clinic has been providing wigs and other hair services for women dealing with hair loss. One of the aims of the awareness campaign is to end the stigma of wig-wearing.
"It's sad to see people lose so much confidence from losing their hair," said Madeline Dick, a student of the college's hairstyling program. "We just really want to end the stigma of wig-wearing and make it somewhat normal and help people feel better about themselves."
Matthews points out that wigs can also be very expensive, which is why she says the services provided by the wig clinic are so important.
"I think it's awesome that everyone should have an opportunity to feel confident and happy again after going through whatever they were going through," she said.
Dick, meantime, said giving people confidence is a big reason why she's learning the hairstyling trade.
"I just want to learn as much as I can and just really make people feel good about themselves," she said. "It's really rewarding to see."
The "Wigged Out Walk-a-Thon" runs from August 6 to 14, and you can participate through Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #WiggedOutWalkAThon.
There's no cost to participate and no registration required. For those dealing with hair loss, whether it's as a result of cancer treatments or other medical conditions, you can apply to receive a free wig by contacting the Sault College Wig Clinic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Hubble Space Telescope marks 34 years with new portrait of a 'cosmic dumbbell'
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning new image of the glowing gas ejected from a dying star, which in this case happens to resemble a 'cosmic dumbbell.'