A HAIRDRESSER from the Bradford district who was recently diagnosed with a rare type of breast cancer has thanked her community for fundraising for her human hair wig.
Zoe Gardner, 49, from Baildon was hit with the devastating cancer diagnosis six weeks ago and started chemotherapy shortly after.
Zoe has always been known for her long, blonde locks and can’t imagine losing her hair while getting her treatment. Her family and the Baildon community have raised more than £1,400 to get Zoe a human hair wig.
- Interested in local family events and activities, and want to connect with other local families? Join our new Bradford Families Facebook group
When Zoe asked for an estimate of how much the human hair wig would cost, she was told it was around £1,800.
She said: “My hair is my crown. I’m known for my long, blonde hair and I love styling it and if I got a normal wig, I just wouldn’t be able to do that.
“I’ve worked with hair for ages, I know hair, I had my own salon in Baildon for 12 years and now I work as a tutor at Woodspeen for hair.
“I still cut a lot of the community’s hair, when I’ve got time.”
Zoe is hoping to get a long, blonde wig to replicate her natural hair and make her feel more herself while she undergoes treatment.
The difference between a normal wig and a human hair wig is the texture- human hair wigs tend to be lighter and can have heat applied to them.
She added: “I don’t want to not look like myself when I’m having treatment done.
“I want to feel like myself and feel good.
“Losing my hair is a big thing for me.”
When Zoe’s sister Charlotte started the Go Fund Me page at the start of March to raise money for the human hair wig, it was met with a huge response.
Within three days more than £1,000 had been donated.
She said: “The community really got behind me and supported me. People have been so kind.
“Cancer can make you feel quite alone, it’s just you going through this, but when people come together, it keeps you going.”
Zoe is grateful to the people who have made it possible for her to get the wig.
“I’m really grateful and there’s some really amazing people who want to help," she said.
“I’ve had people sending me flowers and balloons and they are just so thoughtful.”
Zoe has been a huge supporter of the Marie Curie charity over the years, due to the impact cancer has had on her life and the life of close family members.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here