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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.