The head of the health portfolio, Dr. Luis Medina Ruiz, received in his office authorities from this area and beneficiaries of the work they do in the workshop located in the Department of Mobile Operations. The project was born with the objective of providing a better quality of life to people with cancer. The service is completely free.
«He visited us today Agustinawho some time ago received a wig made with hair donated by volunteers. She has already been discharged and wanted to have this meeting with us and with the people who treated her so well. I want to highlight the great work done by the entire Wig Bank team and the great work of Dr. Esquivel. And of course the Ministry’s disposition at the request of the governor Oswald Jaldo“, he said Medina RuizIt is worth noting that Agustina handed over the wig she no longer needed and another patient, Alejandrareceived another one that he will use from today.
For her part, the representative of the Breast Cancer Program, in charge of the Comprehensive Gynecology Trailer, Dr. Stella Esquivel, commented that she assisted in the delivery of wigs to patients who are going through the disease and are undergoing chemotherapy.
“We see the importance of the delivery of these wigs, which are made in the workshop of the Ministry of Public Health, for the self-esteem of these people. It influences the mood and the willingness of the patient to continue with the treatment,” explained the professional, emphasizing that the State is present not only in medical care, but also in emotional care.
Augusto Cortezwho is in charge of the Wig Bank, said that they have been working for 7 years, providing wigs to cancer patients free of charge, through a contract. The workshop is located at 1919 Italia Street and is open from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., where people can come to inquire about how to acquire a wig or donate hair.
“We need at least 30 centimeters to assemble and make wigs. I want to emphasize that we provide them for free. Through a contract, patients will have them for the duration of the treatment,” Cortez said. She also indicated that since they began, they have made more than 8,000 wigs.
Regarding the requirements of the Wig Bank, the representative emphasized that they are minimal and that the patient and a guarantor are required. A file is prepared that must be presented to the Ministry of Public Health for approval and once it is approved, the wig is manufactured and assembled or one that is in stock is delivered.
Meanwhile, patient Alejandra Ávila said that she came to the Wig Bank thanks to her sister: “I was on the verge of depression and when my sister told me about this possibility of having a wig, it changed my life. When I arrived, they told me to choose the one I liked the most and I felt happy.”
Agustina Coronel, a beneficiary of the Wig Bank, said that her experience during the entire chemotherapy process for her lymphoma was very hard: “Before going through this, one does not realize how important hair is for self-esteem. The moment your hair starts to fall out, it is traumatic and this Bank is a light of hope because it supports us psychologically and emotionally, for which I am very grateful.”
Finally, Alejandro Coronelfather of a patient, thanked the minister for having this workshop that helps many people with their emotional state: “For the parents and relatives of cancer patients, the Wig Bank is very important, not only for the aesthetic aspect, but also for the psychological aspect that helps a lot in the treatment.” Coronel said that when he found the workshop he felt grateful for the attention he received and for the quality of the wigs.
