Sandy Marinko styles wigs for cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. When Sandy Marinko retired a few years ago as a salon owner and hair stylist, she looked for a place to volunteer where she could interact directly with people who could use her talents.
“I wanted something hands-on,” said Marinko, the former owner of the Salon at Raintree and Sandy’s Hair Fair, both in Freehold. “Through the American Cancer Society, I joined the volunteer wig stylist program and the Look Good-Feel Better program. Both programs help women who are fighting cancer.”
Marinko, who has more than 40 years of experience as a licensed hairstylist and 37 years of experience as a salon owner, said she knew about the programs, but never had time to participate in them while she was working. “My first boss created her own wigs and I learned about wigs from her,” said Marinko, an Englishtown native who is a longtime Freehold Township resident. “Today’s wigs are easy to maintain and the satisfaction of helping others gain self-esteem and confidence makes it very rewarding to volunteer my services.”
She said the wigs and the services of a hair stylist are available free by individual appointment to women who suffer hair loss due to chemotherapy, radiation or other treatments. The wigs are donated by various companies or individuals, cleaned and stored in the wig banks of local ACS chapters, such as the one in Shrewsbury where Marinko volunteers.
“On average, I trim and fit wigs for two or three women a week and provide one-onone instruction on the way to shampoo and condition the wigs,” said Marinko, who has participated in the wig program for about one year. “The wig room also has donated scarves, headwear and hand-knitted hats that are available to the women, too.”
The best part of wig program, she said, is seeing the change in the women.
“The women are grateful for the wigs, but they are also more assured and feel better,” said Marinko. “When I had my own salon, I remember some of my clients coming in dragging for their hair appointments, but when they left there was a bounce in their step because they looked good.”
Marinko, who has 45 years experience as a cosmetologist, recently facilitated a two-hour Look Good-Feel Better program at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township.
The non-medical programs are brand neutral and teach beauty and cosmetic techniques to women and men fighting cancer and help them manage the appearance side effects of cancer treatment. It is supported by the American Cancer Society, the Personal Care Products Council Foundation (formerly the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) and the Professional Beauty Association/National Cosmetology Association.
“The women learn a variety of beauty tips, including hair and skin care, makeup, fragrances and nail care and how to select a wig,” said Marinko, who owns Envision Permanent Makeup, which among its services offers re-creation of the areola of the breast after a mastectomy. “The participants receive a selection of beauty products to take home and at the end of the program, I bring a selection wigs for inspection.”
The volunteer wig program, she said, is highly recommended for any hairstylist, especially retired hairstylists who want an added dimension to their skills.
“I love working as a hairstylist and working with people and these volunteer programs are a great fit for me,” said Marinko.
Michele DeDea is the manager of patient and family services at the American Cancer Society’s Eastern Division Jersey Shore Region Office in Shrewsbury. She said the services of Marinko and Michele Lawson, another licensed hairstylist and a resident of Middletown, who both work as volunteer wig stylists in the Shrewsbury location, are phenomenal.
“They both go above and beyond to help our clients,” said DeDea. “The wig program is very successful and we have a need for more hairstylists and are always grateful for donations of wigs.”
DeDea said the American Cancer Society wig program is available in Monmouth and Ocean counties and she said there are weekly sessions of the Look Good-Feel Better program in both counties, too. These are only two of many American Cancer Society programs. For further information about the wig program or Look Good-Feel Better, call 1-800-227-2345.