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Pittsburgh Women With Breast Cancer Thankful For 'HairPeace' Help

POSTED: 3:17 pm EST December 7, 2007
UPDATED: 5:30 pm EST December 7, 2007

Like millions of other women, three Pittsburgh-area ladies have battled breast cancer.

All three have watched the past few months as Robin Roberts of "Good Morning America" bravely showed the world her cancer struggle, shaving off what was left of her hair after chemotherapy and then donning a wig.

But for many women, a wig isn't an option, because it's too expensive, but there's help and hope.

By the time Cindy Umbaugh went for her wig, she had virtually no hair left.

Medical bills were piling up, but Umbaugh wanted a wig to feel good again, which is when the owner of the salon she was at made a call Umbaugh said she would never forget.

"She turned the clippers on and then she turned them off," said Umbaugh. "It was just so traumatic."

Bonny Diver Hall was the woman at the other end. Hall is a breast cancer survivor who created the nonprofit organization "HairPeace," which raises money to buy wigs for women who can't afford them.

A synthetic wig can cost $300 to $1,000. For real hair, the wig can cost significantly more.

"Four out five insurance companies in the Pennsylvania state do not pay for your wig," said Hall. "They don't think it is necessary."

Since 2005, HairPeace has helped provide wigs, prayer quilts, food and support for more than 100 Pittsburgh-area women.

Karla Sable still smiles when she looks at her wig. It became her lifeline, she said, which is why she named it "Kathy."

"I always wore Kathy, because I was a little self conscious about doing the Kojak look," said Sable.

For more information, visit www.HairPeace.org.


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