Allusion's Kidz*Wigz Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with hair loss. This foundation will provide a free custom cranial prosthesis or hairpiece (wig) to children qualifying for need in the greater Cincinnati area. These are children who may be suffering from hair loss due to cancer, burns, radiation, alopecia, tricotillomania, and other medically related issues.
Hair loss is a very traumatic experience for anyone, but it is especially difficult for children. Allusion's Kidz*Wigz Foundation wants to help by providing an option for children suffering from hair loss and who cannot afford a high quality cranial prosthesis.
To apply for assistance, please send us a letter or postcard to:
Kidz*Wigz
P.O. Box 9660
Cincinnati, OH 45209
Or call 513-891-5411 to set-up a free evaluation.
Please Meet Mariam...
Mariam's Story...
Mariam was born in West Africa. She lived in a small village with her aunt after her parents fled to the Ivory Coast because of civil unrest in the region.
At the age of 5, she was burned severally in a cooking accident when a cauldron of liquid was accidentally spilled on her. Her burns were over 70% of her body but unfortunately her beautiful face and smile were spared. She lost over 50% oof her hair due to the burns on her scalp.
There are no hospitals in West Africa that treat pediatric burns. The clinic to which she was sent did not know how to handle the burns and it had no pain medicine. Mariam developed multiple infections from the burns. She suffered excrutiating pain for several months until a doctor took mercy on her and helped find a way through the "Healing the Children" organization (MI-OH) to get her to the Shriner's Burns Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Shriner's Burns Institute and a wonderful family, the Sternebergs, took over Mariam's care. She has healed and progressed wonderfully over the last 3 years.
At first her hair loss did not affect Mariam, but as she entered school and wanted to be just like the other children, she became self-conscious. The Sterneberg family brought Mariam to Allusions for her hair replacement. All of us at Allusions were happy we could help Mariam regain her dignity and self-esteem with a good quality hair replacement. Her photo's and smile show the difference. Help us make a difference with other children who may be experiencing hair loss by making a contribution to Kidz*Wigz.
The Kidz*Wigz Foundation has been established in memory of my mother, Marjorie Busemeyer and my sister, Becky Busemeyer, who not only lost hair, but also their lives to cancer about 25 years ago. I saw the anguish they experienced when they lost their hair and I only wish the technologies available today had been available to them.
The Foundation is also in honor of Lucinda Heekin, who was an inspiration to me to get involved with and help others who are experiencing hair loss. It was through Lucinda's own personal battle with chemotherapy-related hair loss that I learned how hair loss can be overcome with a high quality cranial prosthesis.