The women of the Floyd-Polk-Chattooga Medical Alliance decided to do something for cancer patients and on Monday made a dual presentation to Cancer Navigators.  Nine members of the Medical Alliance visited the Cancer Navigators presented a collection of almost 50 wigs as well as a $400 check to order more wigs for patients. In addition, they presented the nonprofit with another $1,000 check to be used for gas cards to help patients in need get to their treatments.

The group has long had a wig fund to help provide wigs to women during their cancer treatment. What makes the project so special to Medical Alliance members is that most of the funds collected are memorials to those they have personally known who lost their battle with cancer. So the wig fund is the legacy of brave women created by caring women.

Alliance President Hallie Kelley said the group set its sights on helping those dealing with the impact of cancer. Since Cancer Navigators provides personalized guidance for cancer patients on their journey, the group felt that helping the community-based nonprofit would be an effective way to directly help cancer patients with wigs and transportation.

`As a nonprofit that is totally dependent on funding from donations, these types of partnerships are vital to continuing to do the work we do,` said Charlotte Atkins, Cancer Navigators executive director. `We are so touched that these women felt moved to reach out to our patients. The wigs will brighten the journey for so many women and the transportation funds will help those with extreme need get to their treatments, which is vital to their health.`

After the tour and presentation, local hair stylist Rhonda Cochran and some of her fellow Medical Alliance members said they’d like to return to Cancer Navigators to help create a special wig room to display all the wigs and give women a special place to view and try on wigs.

`That’s what I love about our community. People see a way to help those in need and they step up and get things done. The women in the Medical Alliance certainly do and we are so very grateful,` said Atkins.