On June 28 at the Brainerd Lakes Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, this year’s Ginger Brauer Breast Cancer Support Award went to Jeanie Thompson, owner of Jeanie & Co. salon in Aitkin.
Amy Renner, oncology care coordinator for Riverwood Healthcare Center, nominated Jeanie and her salon team for their work supporting area cancer patients with a free wig closet, wig styling and cutting, hats, scarves and caps all at no charge to those suffering from hair loss due to chemotherapy or other medical issues.
Ruth’s Free Wig Closet was started in Aitkin in 1996 by twins Jeanie Thompson and Janie Martz, owners of Jeanie & Co. salon. After experiencing the death of their mother, Ruth, from pancreatic cancer they saw a need for a program to help women face the challenge of a lifetime.
The salon staff provides personalized help choosing items and tips on how to wear them. “Look Good…Feel Better” services are also available from certified cosmetologists. More than 1,500 individuals have benefited. For more information about the program, go to www.ruthsfreewig-closet.org or call 218-927-2128.
“Whenever I’ve sent cancer patients to Jeanie’s Free Wig Closet, they always come back to me with so many nice things to say about how helpful the salon staff are,” Renner says. “Most need a wig for such a short period of time so it is so nice to have a local business to refer them to. It means a lot to these women to be able to feel good about how they look during a difficult and stressful time.”
The Susan G. Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure established the annual Breast Cancer Support Award in 2000. The first winner, Ginger Brauer, lost her battle with breast cancer in 2001 and the award was subsequently named in her honor. Brauer exemplified the selfless giving of time and energy in support of local breast cancer activities and was an active member of the Race for the Cure committee from its inception. Each year, the winner is announced at the awards ceremony on Race day.