Pinewood woman helps boost cancer victims’ self esteem

Michael Hilborn
Staff writer

Passing the hat is more than just a figure of speech for Rachel Korchak.
The Pinewood resident who runs a hair salon out of her home doesn’t expect you to put money in her hats though. She expects you to wear them, and if you’re a woman who has lost her hair as a result of chemotherapy, you might just do it.
Korchak says 40 women from all over the district did just that last year and she doesn’t see the demand decreasing.
“There just seems to be so much of it (cancer) around here,” she sighed.
Recent revelations from the Northwestern Health Unit would tend to verify that observation.
Korchak says her awareness of cancer was born with the death of her father, Larry Arpin, in 1985. When one of her customers died about 10 years ago and others were diagnosed with cancer, she realized there was a need out there.
“Ladies came to me, quite devastated because of what the chemo did to their hair,” she explained.”It is so disheartening for them to see their hair falling out.”
Korchak said it may be difficult for most men to appreciate how important a woman’s hair is to her self esteem and identity, but as a hairdresser, she sees it every day.
“Our hair is our crown and glory,” she said. “So when they came in feeling terrible and saying, ‘My hair is falling out. What can I do?’ I would suggest a really funky cut – something they wouldn’t dare try normally.”
Eventually, the potent cocktail of anti-cancer drugs made even that impossible, so there was no choice but to shave it all off. That was when Korchak realized she could do something about it.
With the help of her sister and her mother – who is a talented seamstress – Korchak began sewing caps of various colours her clients could wear in public. It was not as simple as it sounds.
For instance, only certain materials were suitable.“It has to be breathable,” she explained. That ruled out nylon or silk. Also, the cap has to stretch and fit snugly to resist wind. That leaves cotton knit and Korchak said she had found men’s golf T-shirts to be ideal for her purpose.
“People send me remnants,” she said. “Sometimes I get complete shirts that have been torn.”
People hear about her project mostly through word of mouth, she explained. As a hairdresser, she has plenty of contacts so there is no shortage of business. Korchak does not charge for this service. Her caps are available free to anyone who wants them. She has only one condition.
“If I give them to you, you must not sell them. If you no longer need it, please pass it on to someone who does.”
Korchak says she has noticed when clients finish their chemotherapy and the hair begins to grow back, it often does so in its original colour before gray set in. Still, she says, as she stared at a list of her clients who have died of cancer, it is hardly worth the ordeal.
Sadly, Korchak has also found it necessary to make smaller versions of her caps for children who are undergoing the same ordeal.
“I just wish I could reach more people and let them know (about my hats),” she said.
Korchak has been as far as Thunder Bay to hand out her hats. She says she has spent considerable time at Amethyst House – a hospice for those undergoing cancer treatments and their families. She found that to be a
profound experience and one that helped her put her own life into perspective.
“Everybody should walk through a cancer ward to really appreciate what they have,” she said.
If you know anyone who needs one of Rachel Korchak’s caps, or if you wish to donate materials, you can reach her in Pinewood at 483-5819.
Somebody will appreciate the effort.