VIDEO: Celebrating 1000th Cancer Wig Giveaway

When fighting cancer, patients often loose their hair due to chemotherapy. It's a side effect that can have a big emotional impact.

Tonight we find out how free wigs are giving patients the motivation to keep going.

"This year I turned 50, so I had my bucket list of things to do and fortunately I went in and had my colonoscopy," said Pam Mathison, Cancer Patient.

2010 marked a big year for Pam Mathison. But it was this colonoscopy that changed this mother of two's life. Pam and her family found out she had colon cancer.

"It felt surreal. It felt like it wasn't me actually that they were talking about," said Mathison.

It was only a matter of time until Pam started chemotherapy.

"I started loosing my hair quickly," said Mathison.

So she turned to one place where she knew she could receive a free wig-Bloom the Boutique at Sanford Cancer Center.

"It's fun and it just makes you feel good, it really does," said Mathison.

But Pam is just one of many who have received a free wig. Over the past four years 1,000 women sat in this same chair-getting fit for their new wig. Hopefully giving them the confidence to keep fighting.

"Before you know it they're laughing. It's their time to forget that they were battling cancer a few minutes ago," said Donna Harrison, Bloom the Boutique.

Donna Harrison helps cancer patients find their perfect look and says a wig can go a long way in the fight against cancer.

"If you get depressed things are so much worse than if your having fun," said Harrison.

And Pam agrees. She says when life changes in a heartbeat, knowing who you are makes a huge difference.

"It is nice to have that reflection of yourself in the mirror and you're like, oh yeah, that's who I am, that's how I feel," said Mathison.

Wigs are provided at no cost to cancer patients by a grant made possible by the Sanford Health Foundation.

VIDEO: Stand Up to Cancer 2010

VIDEO: A New Haircut

It's time for my first haircut!! My hair started to grow back in December after my last chemotherapy treatment in November. I of course was so excited to have my hair growing back, but it has been difficult to get use to!!! I've never had this short of hair before, so I really don't know the cute ways to style it. This month though, I have noticed it getting pretty long in the back, so I decided to get it STYLED. Here is a look at my first time getting my hair styled after cancer treatment. Hopefully I can keep this style up?!
Danielle

VIDEO: The Birth Control Pill

I know there is still a lot of controversy surrounding the birth control pill, but this year marks its 50th year anniversary. This story I am posting is a "look back" at the pill over the last 50 years and how it has helped define a new role for women in the household, as well as in the workplace.

I also wanted to post this interesting article about "The Pill" and cancer. In a population-based study of women in the U.K., researchers found death from any cause was 12 percent lower among birth control pill users than among those who never took the drugs. Here is a link to the article I was reading at abc.com: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/birth-control-pills-reduce-cancer-death/story?id=10084482&page=2

Danielle

VIDEO: "Choose You"

Here is a startling statistic: One in three women will in one point develop cancer in her lifetime. It happened to me unexpectedly and it took me by surprise. However, I think it is important to get the word out that there are things we can do to reduce that risk. Of course you may still get cancer, like I did in my case, but if you keep healthy lifestyle, it will help in the recovery process. Here is an interview I did with the American Cancer Society about their "Choose You" campaign. Make sure to spread the word to other women out there.
Danielle

VIDEO: Walking Across the Country for Locks of Love

I wanted to share this story we did at KDLT about this man walking from Washington all the way to Florida, the headquarters for Locks of Love. I'm very inspired by his determination to not only make a difference for cancer patients, but set and example.

Danielle

Cute Picture

I just had to share this cute picture of my puppy Riley. He is taking a nap on my sister's bed. WOW, what a life!!

Danielle