Hat Party

“Do it with HATtitude”

As if it’s not enough to loose all or part of your breast, but then add the element of hair loss to the mix. When women lose their hair due to chemotherapy, it can be very devastating; some are affected even more than loosing part of their breast. We tend to have our identity; our self esteem all wrapped up in these physical things and when we loose them, even for a little while, it can be overwhelming and very upsetting.

One way friends and family can help lighten the anticipation of air loss is to throw a “Hat Party” and give it some “HATtitude”. You can do this at any point, but its best before she looses her hair. Before the chemo starts she won’t be feeling sick and her head won’t be sensitive yet. When you loose your hair quickly, the hair follicles can be very tender.

Get her closest friends, co-workers, neighbors and family together and have some fun, make it pot luck so there’s not a lot of work for any one person. Sometimes there isn’t a lot to laugh about you’re dealing with a cancer diagnosis but this is your opportunity to use that sense of humor and let your hair down. Pun intended.

Have everyone bring a hat or scarf, some funny, some serious, a few hands mirrors and a sense of humor. Add gag hats among the serious ones she could actually wear such as Mickey Mouse ears and a colorful costume wig. This is a time to laugh and talk about fun things. Consider the chemotherapy a temporary but important part of this journey to make your friend or loved one healthy again. Bring friendship cards and your camera so you can record this party forever. This will mean a lot to the woman in your life, to be able to celebrate life with the people she loves. An event like this shows her she has a strong supportive network to help get her though.

While you are all together, this is a great time to sign people up help out in the next several months. This could be to bring meals over a few times a week. Remember, not everyone likes to cook so other guests might want to sign up for house cleaning, laundry duty, dog walking or babysitting. Just pick a need and fill it! Pick something you think she’d like but would never ask you to do.

If you have new hats to donate or have other suggestions for helping out a loved one, please email us at mail@breastfriends.com