Frequently Asked Questions
Wigs
Who is eligible to receive wigs?
Any child or teenager living in B.C. who has lost their hair due to cancer treatment or another serious illness is eligible to receive a free wig through Wigs for Kids BC.
How do I acquire a wig for my child?
Start by emailing us: info@wigsforkidsbc.com .
W4K will put you in touch with a BC Children's Hospital representative. The representative will make arrangements for your child to have a style consultation and wig fitting at a Vancouver wigmaker. Your child can choose whatever style and hair colour they wish.
How long will it take to get a wig for my child?
It will take approximately six to eight weeks to make a wig for your child.
Who pays for my child's wig?
All wigs are paid for by Wigs for Kids BC. We partner with a Vancouver wigmaker who makes all of our wigs at a reduced cost. All wigs are provided to children for free.
How many ponytails does it take to make a wig?
It takes 10 to 12 ponytails to make a wig.
Why is it important to provide custom-fitted human-hair wigs for kids?
BC Children's Hospital is the primary treatment centre for all childhood diseases in our province. One of the more challenging childhood diseases they treat is cancer. Last year, the hospital saw more than 125 new cases of childhood cancer from more than 200 communities across our province. Along with the newly diagnosed children, they have more than 840 children in active treatment and over 1200 in long-term follow-up treatment.
Most of these children will lose their hair temporarily because of the chemotherapy treatments, and for some the loss will be permanent. After months of painful cancer treatments the thing children look forward to the most is resuming their normal activities, and returning to school. Without a proper wig to disguise their baldness many refuse to go back to school, or even leave the house, for fear of ridicule.
Custom-fitted human-hair wigs are the best solution because they look and feel like the real thing. Their retail price is steep, averaging between $1,000 and $3,000. Under normal circumstances many families would find this expense difficult to afford but for others, who leave their jobs to care for their sick child, it is out of the question. Human-hair wigs are not covered by MSP.
Donating
Who benefits from my donation?
W4K assists children living with serious illnesses who require a human-hair wig and/or essential drugs and feeding supplies that are not covered by insurance, government agency or program.
Does Wigs for Kids help children outside of the lower mainland?
We assist children living anywhere in the province of B.C.
How much of my donation will directly help the kids?
All of it! Wigs for Kids BC is run by a committee of volunteers and operates without overhead costs so that every dollar raised goes to help the kids.
Can my company donate an auction item?
We welcome all donations. Email info@wigsforkidsbc.com for more information.
Can I get a tax receipt for my donation?
Yes. BC Children's Hospital Foundation processes all money raised by Wigs for Kids BC and automatically provides donors with a tax receipt for donations of $20 or more.
How can I make a cash donation?
You can donate by clicking one of the Donate Now! buttons, or mail a cheque to:
Wigs for Kids BC
c/o BC Children's Hospital Foundation
938 28th Ave W
Vancouver BC V5Z 4H4
info@wigsforkidsbc.com
Office Hours
8:30am - 5:00pm
Monday - Friday
Closed Holidays
Hair Donation
What is the minimum length for hair donation?
Hair must be a minimum 10 inches long.
Do you accept coloured or chemically treated hair?
We do not accept hair that is currently coloured or permed.
Do you accept grey hair?
Grey hair is acceptable.
I got my hair cut a year ago and I saved the ponytail. Can I donate it now?
No. Hair that is older than three months loses its elasticity and strength and is unsuitable for making wigs.
Where can I donate my ponytail?
Hair can be placed in an envelope and mailed to Wigs for Kids at the address below. We would be happy to mail you a thank you certificate please email mstevens@bcchf.ca with your name and mailing address for same. We are sorry but at this time receipt of hair donation can not be acknowledged.
Wigs for Kids BC
c/o Eva & Co Wigs
3216 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 2L3
Prior to donating your hair, please read the criteria for donating hair under Hair Donations on our Ways to Help page.
*PLEASE NOTE IN ORDER TO BE ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE DO NOT SEND HAIR IN ANY PLASTIC BAGS.
Hosting a Fundraiser
Can I host a fundraiser?
Yes! Read the information under Donations and Ways to Help for a few ideas. Contact Bev Friesen at info@wigsforkidsbc.com to discuss your fundraising idea.
Feeding Supplies and Essential Medications
What kind of feeding supplies and medications does W4K help pay for?
When children are released into the care of their families while still undergoing treatment, the families are responsible for covering the costs of feeding supplies and essential drugs. Children suffer terrible nausea during treatment and are often unable to eat or drink. Feeding supplies are necessary to ensure they get proper nutrition and hydration.
When nutrition support is needed, it is not an option but a necessity of life. Nutritional support is an integral component of a child's treatment for cancer. Without this support, the child's treatments are modified due to toxicity and a child's chance of survival decreases.
The drugs that children need while undergoing cancer treatment include a powerful anti-nausea drug and a medication to boost their white blood count. Children may require these items for three to six months or longer. Feeding supplies cost between $600 and $3,000 per month, and medications cost approximately $1,000 per month. These costs are a burden for families who are already stretched to the limit both emotionally and financially. None of these items are covered by MSP.
As well as feeding supplies, we are pleased to announce our further commitment to the families by providing the funds for a driving program at BC Children's Hospital where the child and their parent gets picked up and taken to the hospital for their treatment and taken back home again. We also have committed to helping families out with the cost of travel when their treatment takes them out of province.