SOMERVILLE, N.J., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The opening of a first of its kind specialty boutique in Central New Jersey represents a new and unique place to help meet the needs of patients who are living with cancer.
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It was tough enough for Jane Haszko to face the prospect of losing her hair as a result of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. But finding a wig to help her maintain her normal appearance was even more difficult.
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Haszko, of Bridgewater, still recovering from her lumpectomy at Somerset Medical Center and fatigued by her chemotherapy treatments, traveled across Central New Jersey to four different beauty and wig shops until she could find one that matched her thin hair and fit her small head. She found limited selections and in some cases, sales staff who were not very knowledgeable about cancer patients' needs.
"I knew that within three weeks of starting chemotherapy, I would lose my hair so I felt pressure to find something quickly," Haszko said. "But I was so tired from my treatments that even short trips to go shopping were extremely exhausting."
Cancer patients like Haszko no longer have to trek from store to store to find wigs and other specialty items they need.
The new sanofi-aventis Wellness Boutique at The Steeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center, which opens Sept. 29, offers a full range of image recovery items for cancer patients and an experienced staff who understand cancer patients' unique needs and concerns.
A certified fitter, who has 25 years of experience working with cancer patients, helps patients select wigs and prostheses. The store's selections include skin care products, cosmetics, headscarves and swimsuits and lingerie specially-designed for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery.
The boutique -- the only one of its kind in the Central New Jersey region -- was made possible through a significant donation from sanofi-aventis U.S. to Somerset Medical Center Foundation.
"We are extremely grateful to sanofi-aventis U.S. for their generous support which will enable us to make a tremendous difference in the lives of our cancer patients," said Katrina Losa, RN, MSN, director of The Steeplechase Cancer Center. "Our goal is to help patients look and feel their best. When they feel good about how they look, they are more likely to maintain a positive attitude, which is so important to their recovery process."
"Sanofi-aventis believes in making a positive and long-term impact in the community by working with organizations that take innovative approaches to health issues," said Ann Isom, director of U.S. philanthropy and relationship management for sanofi-aventis. "We see the Wellness Boutique as a unique way to make a positive impact on the lives of cancer patients."
The boutique was designed with input from cancer survivors, including Haszko, who will be assisting patients with their purchases as a volunteer in the store.
"This is going to be so wonderful for cancer patients in our community," she said. "It offers one-stop-shopping in a beautiful environment and will be very convenient for patients to get what they need in between their radiation therapy, chemotherapy treatments and doctor appointments."
"I wish this boutique was around when I was diagnosed with breast cancer - it would have made the whole ordeal so much easier," added Susan Caden of Bridgewater, who found it very uncomfortable to be the only bald person in a beauty salon looking for a wig.
Caden, who is now a volunteer at The Steeplechase Cancer Center, says it is important for cancer patients to not only have access to medical
