In case you need proof of some good in the world, look no further than Alaska: There, two women oversee The Magic Yarn Project, a nonprofit that creates yarn wigs for children diagnosed with cancer. Since the project — which recently celebrated its second anniversary — was launched in fall of 2015, more than 3,000 volunteers have made nearly 4,000 character-themed wigs for children in 29 countries. And the wigs are D-E-L-I-G-H-T-F-U-L:
Co-founder Holly Christensen, a part-time orthopedic nurse who once worked in oncology, made the first wig when her friend's toddler was diagnosed with cancer. Knowing that chemotherapy can cause children to lose their hair and leave their scalps too sensitive for traditional wigs, she wanted to make a cozy hat that was extra soft — and fun. "I thought she would enjoy a Rapunzel yarn wig since I knew that losing her hair would likely be difficult," Holly says. The gift was well-received by the 3-year-old, who's now in remission.
After that, Holly gathered friends to help make wigs for other children and went on Facebook to request yarn donations. When her post went viral in September 2015, Holly's friend Bree Hitchcock reached out with an offer to provide help with graphic design and setting up a GoFundMe page for the cause. Soon after, they decided to launch The Magic Yarn Project.
The wigs begin with a hand-crocheted beanie and take up to two hours to make, depending on the style: They make Disney characters such as Anna and Elsa from Frozen; The Little Mermaid's Ariel; Sleeping Beauty's Aurora; Beauty and the Beast's Belle; Cinderella; Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean; Rapunzel, Rainbow, and Tiana from The Princess and the Frog; and several superheroes such as Spiderman and Ninja Turtles.
Holly insists they're easy to learn to make — volunteers have included Girl Scouts, NFL players, grandmothers, and military soldiers, she says. Volunteers can make beanies, tiaras, snowflakes, or the entire wig using directions on The Magic Yarn Project's website — or simply decorate the cards that are sent along with the wigs.
To support the cause and to spread the joy, volunteer to help or donate on The Magic Yarn Project's website.
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Elizabeth Narins is a Brooklyn, NY-based writer and a former senior editor at Cosmopolitan.com, where she wrote about fitness, health, and more. Follow her at @ejnarins.
