Woman donates hair to friend with breast cancer for a wig

How would you feel if, after being diagnosed with cancer, a friend offered to get you a wig made out of their own hair?

This is the reality for Kate Rackham, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2016, which she says ‘came as a massive shock’.

Prior to this she had lumps that she’d had checked out, but with no family history she was told not to worry and so when she noticed another lump, she didn’t get it checked straight away.

Once she was referred to the breast care unit and had an ultrasound and biopsy, the lump had gotten large. Speaking to 5 Live’s Naga Munchetty, she says “half way through the ultrasound the whole room changed”.

Fast forward just over two years and Kate had developed secondary cancer, that is incurable. Part of that treatment is chemotherapy, which results in loss of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.

This is when the kind gesture of a wig, made by the hair from her friend Sarah Fitzpatrick was offered. Sarah has since been growing out her usual long bob and is planning on getting it cut at the end of July.

Kate told Naga she’s struggled with the loss of her hair, “being in the shower and seeing it fall out is heart-breaking”.

“It's really hard losing your hair. It's not just losing your hair, it's losing your eyelashes and eyebrows as well”.

“That's the difference between looking like you are rocking a bald head and looking like you are on chemotherapy” she says

‘Seeing it fall out is heart-breaking’

Now she tells Naga, every time she sees Sarah ‘I tell her how fabulous my hair looks”.

“I haven't known her for that long, our children are the same age and we met at baby yoga and her and the rest of my group of friends, in the same group, have just been the most supportive group of friends”

“I have lots of my friends but Sarah is definitely going above and beyond” Kate says.

To raise awareness for women with secondary breast cancer Kate has come together with a group to set up Fighting to be Heard, which provides emotional and financial support for those with SBC.

‘Sarah is definitely going above and beyond’

There are an estimated 61,000 people living with secondary breast cancer in the UK. In around 5% of women, breast cancer has already spread by the time it is diagnosed.

This is when breast cancer spreads to another part of the body, typically the liver, lungs, brain or bones. In Kate’s case this has spread to her pelvis and spine.

As secondary breast cancer can't be cured, the aim of treatment is to control it, relieve symptoms and maintain your quality of life. Many people can live a normal life for a number of years.