Crowns of Courage

We are dedicated to providing halo wigs to any child with chemotherapy related hair loss, at NO cost. Halo wigs are different from traditional wigs. They are made using the patients' own hair, or if they have already started chemotherapy they are made with donated hair. The hair is attached to a soft, stretchy, breathable fabric. This fabric allows the halo wig to stay dry, cool and comfortable. The halo wig can be worn with any hat, scarf or beanie.

Crowns of Courage was started a little over 2 years ago by Rachel and her friend, Jessica. Rachel decided to found Crowns of Courage after her daughter, Ashlyn, was diagnosed with a life threatening blood disorder at the age of 10.

The doctors told them Ashlyn would need a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy in order to survive. One of Ashyln's biggest fears was losing her hair. After researching different wig options for Ashlyn, her family discovered the halo wig, a wig that could be made using Ashlyn's very own hair. Wearing this halo wig allowed Ashlyn to feel normal around her friends. It boosted her confidence and made such a difference in her recovery, that Rachel knew she had to do something to help other children in similar situations. Real hair wigs can be expensive and in most cases families can't afford one. Families with children fighting a life threatening disease have a lot of medical costs & parents sometimes have to take of work to care for the child. Rachel had the idea to provide their halo wigs for any child in need at NO cost. In January 2016, they launched Crowns of Courage.

The first year of Crowns of Courage, they were able to fulfill 12 halo wig requests. To date, they have provided 68 free halo wigs to pediatric cancer patients, in 11 different states across the country, including AZ of course. Helping these kids who are fighting such a big battle is so rewarding. The Crowns of Courage halo wig is able to bring a little brightness into an unimaginable situation.

Testimonials

Here are some of the responses we've heard in regards to the halo wig:
'I feel like a pretty princess again.'
'My halo wig makes me feel normal and girly. It's my own hair, so it's just me.'
'My halo wig makes me feel like myself.'
'When I was bald, I liked my halo wig. It wasn't heavy or hot like a normal wig.'

Here is a testimonial from one of our wig recipients Lily:
My name is Lily West, I am 15 and I was diagnosed with HLH which is a rare blood disorder. I had never been sick or been to the hospital before so this was all new to me. The doctors would talk to my mom and at first they would do it outside of my room, until I told them I was a big girl and could listen and be in on the conversations. After being on the conversations, then I knew what was coming, which was chemotherapy, something I had heard of but never fully understood. When I learned the side effects I was absolutely heartbroken, hair loss was one big thing, my hair was my favorite feature of myself and now I was going to lose it all. I thought I had the most beautiful hair, it was all the way
to my butt. I was and still am really good at braiding and doing all sorts of things with mine and others' hair. Anyways I lost my hair and I couldn't have anyone see me, I didn't talk to any of my friends, I didn't want family visiting, I didn't like any pictures taken of me, it was a really tough time for me. One day my mom mentioned something called Crowns of Courage, it was an organization that provided wigs to wear with a hat, and immediately I told my mom yes yes yes anything to cover my head. So we ordered one and everyday I would ask, did it come yet? Finally the day arrived and I was ecstatic, I put it on and there was a smile shining across my face which was rare. This wig brought me security and comfortability. I was able to walk outside and not receive stares and just live my life without anyone knowing that I didn't have any hair. I wouldn't go anywhere without my wig, sometimes I would forget it and we would have to drive all the way back home. I almost wanted to never take it off. I just want to thank Crowns of Courage for the happiness they brought in the lowest point of my life." - Lily West

Here are testimonies from mothers of a few of our recipients:
"Madelyn is a spirited, spunky and stylish 7 year old girl who was diagnosed with preB cell ALL in August of 2017. Ten days into her induction she had a complication related to her neutropenia and spent almost a month in the PICU. One of the worst parts for Madelyn was losing her hair during that time before she could do anything fun with it!
Enter the Crowns of Courage halo wig - it arrived perfectly matched to Madelyn's past hair color and instantly brought a huge smile to her face as it was SO COMFORTABLE!! It isn't too hot to wear, it's super easy to style (pig tails have been a favorite) and goes with any fun cozy hat...