Wig Warriors Hosts Inaugural Fundraiser to Assist Cancer Survivors

Even Michele Konopko Lawson had to laugh when she said aloud what a hairy day it had been, no pun intended, on Saturday, April 13. She is the owner of Hair & Co. in Red Bank, NJ and the founder of the nonprofit charity organization Wig Warriors – The Maureen S. Konopko Foundation. That evening, after the busy salon had closed for the day, friends, family, clients, and supporters came there to celebrate the foundation’s first official fundraiser.

The crowd filled the venue, which had been transformed into the setting for a festive Wine and Cheese Night. Guests happily sat and socialized in the salon chairs where, just hours before, clients had been getting their hair cut, colored, and styled. An assortment of fine wines and delicious cheeses were available to sample, and, scattered amid the wigs on display, there were gift baskets, door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle for which to vie as music played in the background. And towards one back corner of the salon, supporters were shown a private room that is often reserved for the services provided to very special clients through Wig Warriors.

Wig Warriors, a longtime dream of Michele’s, was established in November 2018 to honor the memory of her stepmother Maureen, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who lost her battle with cancer in 2006. Michele’s sons, sister, and dear friends sit on the board of the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. After many years of not only working as a hair stylist but also volunteering to provide services to patients through the American Cancer Society, she realized that there is a great need for patients to have a place to go to help them deal with the cosmetic side effects of the disease and its treatments. The mission of Wig Warriors is to empower women and restore their confidence as they navigate through the cosmetic impact of cancer treatments by providing services, free of charge, that include wigs, scarves, head wraps, and head coverings; a consultation and plan of action to help patients deal with all the stages of hair loss they will face during the next year or so; haircuts and shaving; wig fittings, wig styling, and ongoing wig care during treatment, such as shampooing, cutting, and upkeep; and makeup classes for eyebrows and eyelashes.

The loss of one’s hair, Michele explained, very often has the single most traumatic and emotional impact on women, in particular, because of the way it can alter their appearance and identify them as cancer survivors. Through the free services that Wig Warriors now offers, she hopes to minimize that effect and show them how beautiful they can look and feel. Her ultimate wish is to create a model that other salons throughout the area can follow, offering similar free services to patients everywhere.

She was clearly moved as she spoke a few words to joyfully express her appreciation at the great turnout at the fundraiser and for the support she’s received thus far in establishing the foundation. On their way out, guests were already talking about how much they were looking forward to the next event.

Michele continues to pay it forward outside of the salon, as well. In February 2019, Michele was accompanied by Shestine Montone, one of her staff members at the salon, to the SMGlobal Catwalk event during New York Fashion Week. In collaboration with the Say Yes to Hope Foundation, they helped to style wigs, hair, and makeup to prepare 10 very special women to walk the runway – all of them stage 4 cancer survivors. The annual showcase, part of the annual SMGlobal Catwalk with events held in New York, London, and Paris, is called “Surviving in Fashion” and provides stage 4 cancer patients the chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience while showing the world it is possible to live with courage and beauty on the runway in spite of cancer.

Wig Warriors – The Maureen S. Konopko Foundation is accepting monetary donations as well as new and gently used wigs that can be brought to the salon to be cleaned and styled before being donated to someone in need. If you, or someone you know, is dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy or other cancer treatments, please share the Facebook page at Wig Warriors the Maureen S. Konopko Foundation, call 732-747-6983, or see Michele Konopko Lawson at Hair & Co., 12-14 White Street in Red Bank, NJ. You may donate to Wig Warriors through Venmo @Wig-Warriors or through PayPal at PayPal.Me/wigwarriors.