Wigs For Cancer Patients INTRO: This Mother’s Day, a mom of four is fighting cancer. Chemotherapy has left Debbie Glatz without hair, which is a constant reminder to her children that Mommy isn’t well. But, as Reed Galin reports, a “sister” survivor has stepped in to help with a charity that provides wigs, and peace of mind. SCRIPT: (Locator: Pittsburgh, Pa.) Nat: “Go, Alex!” (Kid hitting baseball and running) Debbie Glatz is fighting for more time with her children. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Debbie Glatz/Cancer Patient: “Your whole life kind of flashes before you.” Glatz has four kids. And, she’s dealing with a common side effect of chemotherapy. Debbie Glatz/Cancer Patient: “My six-year-old son said to me, ‘Mommy, you look scary without your hair. You don’t look like my mom. I need you to put your hair back on.’” Nat/Radio show: “The turnpike exit ramp to 79 north and southbound is blocked.” Radio announcer Bonny Diver is a breast cancer survivor who started a program to help buy wigs for Glatz and other cancer patients – something most Pennsylvania insurance companies will not do. Bonny Diver/Founder, Hair Peace: “I just felt it was important to get out and try to turn my experience into something positive and not just be a survivor, but to try to be a warrior.” After Diver talked about her own fight against cancer on her radio show, she was invited to speak at fundraisers, and she knew she could do more. Bonny Diver/Founder, Hair Peace: “We decided to call the organization Hair Peace, P-E-A-C-E, because of the peace that I got through my church.” Members of Diver’s church, Ingomar United Methodist in Pittsburgh, set up prayer chains for cancer patients and make prayer quilts. And children from Ingomar plant flowers at patients’ homes. Sam Sweeney/Ingomar United Methodist Church: “It makes you feel really good about yourself, like doing something nice for someone else.” Loris Ziener/Cancer Patient: “Gave me hope for a time that was very difficult.” Nat/Baseball game: “Get it, get it, get it!” Debbie Glatz has more chemo and radiation ahead, but she knows she has a team of supporters who want her to have many more years with her family. Debbie Glatz: “I have to get better for them, because we want to all be around to be together.” TAG: Wigs can cost from $200 to $1000 or more. In Pennsylvania, insurance doesn’t cover wig expenses for three out of four cancer patients who suffer hair loss during treatment. For more information, contact Ingomar United Methodist Church at (412) 364-3613 or log onto http://www.ingomarumc.org/Missions/Hair.htm.
| 
