Tata Memorial Centre, Cherian Foundation Partner to Provide Free Human Hair Wigs to Cancer Patients
Chennai: Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) and The Cherian Foundation have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve access to premium natural human hair wigs for economically disadvantaged cancer patients across India.
Under the partnership, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, will act as the nodal agency for receiving, coordinating and distributing wigs across the Tata Memorial Centre network. The arrangement will include systems for allocation, utilisation tracking and impact reporting.
As part of the initial initiative, The Cherian Foundation, through its Gift Hair Gift Confidence (GHGC) programme, will donate 500 premium natural human hair wigs valued at ₹1.5 crore to Tata Memorial Centre. The wigs have been pre-packaged and allocated according to patient requirements at participating centres.
1,000 Wigs to Be Donated Annually
The partnership is intended as a long-term collaboration. Beyond the initial donation, The Cherian Foundation has committed to manufacturing and donating 1,000 premium natural human hair wigs every year through the Gift Hair Gift Confidence initiative.
The wigs will be distributed according to patient requirements across the Foundation’s partner hospital network, including Tata Memorial Centre.
Hair loss is among the visible and emotionally challenging side effects associated with cancer treatment. Premium natural human hair wigs can help address concerns related to confidence and emotional well-being, but they are generally not covered by health insurance, making them difficult to afford for many families.
The partnership aims to address this gap by improving access to wigs as part of supportive cancer care, irrespective of patients’ financial circumstances.
Gift Hair Gift Confidence Initiative
Launched in 2014, Gift Hair Gift Confidence manages the process from awareness and mobilisation of hair donations to wig manufacturing, quality assurance, free distribution, refurbishment and recipient support.
According to the foundation, the initiative has so far mobilised more than 30,000 hair donors and provided over 2,500 premium natural human hair wigs free of cost through a network of more than 35 partner hospitals across India.
Mrs. Valsa Benjamin Cherian, Director, The Cherian Foundation, said the partnership with Tata Memorial Centre would support the foundation’s efforts to expand access to supportive cancer care and restore dignity and quality of life for cancer patients.
Sara Cherian, Executive Trustee of The Cherian Foundation and a cancer survivor who leads the Gift Hair Gift Confidence initiative, said the collaboration is aimed at establishing hospital-based wig banks across India so that patients requiring wigs can access them regardless of their ability to pay.
George B. Cherian, CEO, Raj Hair International, said the company would contribute its expertise in manufacturing the premium natural human hair wigs being donated through the initiative, with a focus on quality, comfort and natural appearance.
