WV Woodturners donate 28 handmade wig stands to CAMC Cancer Center

By Matthew Young, RealWV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Members of the West Virginia Woodturners Association (WVWA), on Tuesday, paid a very special visit to the CAMC Cancer Center in Charleston, where they donated some 28 custom-built wooden wig stands. Varying from 14-to-20 inches in height, the stands will be provided to chemotherapy patients for use during treatment. 

A chapter of the American Association of Woodworkers, the WVWA has a membership of over 40 local hobbyists of varying skill levels. According to WVWA President Tony Massey, thousands of wig stands have been produced and donated across the country by various chapters, and he thought it would make an ideal project for the craftspeople of the Mountain State.

As it turned out, Massey didn’t know how right he was.

“This project has really been special for me,” WVWA member Ron Manning said, shortly after the stands were presented inside the Cancer Center’s Patient Boutique. “My wife was a breast cancer survivor, so this is really close to home.”

Cosmetologist Sheila Wilson, who also serves patients as manager of the Boutique, expressed her excitement at the receipt of the wig stands, saying, “Normally patients get a white, styrofoam head (to store their wig when not in use).”

“These stands are perfect,” Wilson added. “This is really, really nice. Thank you all for thinking of us.”

Made of various types of woods, the wig stands have been constructed using several different designs and wood tones, resulting in what Massey describes as “quality stands.”

“It can’t be something that has oils in it, or finishes that will bleed odors or stainage into the wig,” Massey explained, noting the eagerness with which his members took on the project. 

“People just jumped on it,” Massey added. “Within a month/month-and-a-half, we had 28 of these things.”

The connection with the CAMC Cancer Center was made through a colleague of Massey’s wife, Art Rubin. Along with spending nearly two decades as Regional Assistant Dean, and, ultimately Associate Dean, for the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Rubin serves as Vice Chair of the CAMC Foundation – where he also works closely with CAMC Foundation President Brian Cummings. Rubin took the idea to Cummings, who, in turn, took it to Sheila Wilson.  

“When they (WVWA members) reached out to myself and Dr. Rubins, I naturally thought Sheila would be the best partner to team them up with,” Cummings said, during the presentation. 

Sheila noted that on most days, she helps at least two patients find the right wig to help them get through their treatments. It can oftentimes be an emotional experience for both patients and their families, and Sheila strives to make an uncomfortable time just a bit more comfortable. 

“A lot of times, we become friends by the end of their treatment,” Sheila noted with a smile. 

In addition to CAMC, the WVWA is an active supporter of community organizations such as WVSOM, and Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, with Massey explaining that, “Carnegie Hall is doing an auction as part of their gala.”

“We put up six, three-hour turning lessons,” Massey noted. “People are bidding on it, and that’s great. We’ll teach you how to turn, and you get free membership for a year.”

According to Massey, in addition to the simple philanthropic-satisfaction, community outreach can be a strong tool for membership growth within the association. 

“All of our members here, for the most part – I’d say 85% – are 50-plus-years-old,” Massey said. “We’re trying to bring in some new blood, and get people in here.”

The WVWA hosts “Turning Tuesdays” each week, at the woodworkers studio inside Lewisburg’s Lee St. Studios. Sessions are from 3 until 5 p.m., and are open to members and visitors alike. The association also hosts “Harmony Woods Arts” in Beckley, on the first and third Saturday of every month. For more information about turning sessions in Beckley, visit “Harmony Woods Arts” Facebook.

Another big benefit of Woodturning, Massey said, is stress mitigation.

“When you take a log and turn it into a toothpick, you wouldn’t believe the stress relief you walk away with,” Massey added. 

To learn more about the West Virginia Woodturners Association, visit wvwoodturners.com.