At the For Nina Foundation, we strive to provide comfort, support, and confidence to children battling cancer. One of the most impactful ways we achieve this is through our Wigs for Comfort and Confidence program, which delivers high-quality wigs to young patients. Today, we are delighted to share the heartwarming story of Isabella, our third wig recipient.
Isabella's journey with cancer began on July 21, 2023, shortly after she moved in with her mom, Jesenia, who had recently transitioned out of the military. Their reunion, after being apart for six years, was supposed to be a time of joy but quickly turned into a battle against leukemia.
During the initial months of Isabella's diagnosis, Jesenia faced the dual challenge of adjusting to civilian life and supporting her daughter through treatment. With family spread across the country and Isabella's father stationed in Italy, their support system was initially limited. Fortunately, her father was able to transfer to a closer unit, providing additional support during this tough time.
Despite the hardships, Isabella showed remarkable resilience. She wasn't self-conscious about losing her hair and decided to shave her head herself, showing bravery and confidence in the face of adversity. However, as she began to reintegrate into school life, she started to feel the impact of her hair loss. Questions and comments from peers led to a desire for a wig that looked and felt natural.
Jesenia expressed immense gratitude for the support we were offering and sent photos of Isabella, along with a photo of what Isabella wanted her wig to look like. Jesenia mentioned that Isabella was asking for something a little different from her natural hair, making the anticipation even more exciting for us.
We set a date and met Isabella and Jesenia at their house in Georgia. Isabella was very shy at first but lit up quickly once the process was started. As the day wore on, her delight in what was happening shone through.
Isabella was anxious for her wig while it was being worked on, constantly asking if it was ready yet. While waiting, Jesenia shared more of their story with us. The strength she needed when she got out of the military in 2022 was immense, especially with Isabella's leukemia diagnosis shortly after. Jesenia told us about Isabella losing her hair as a result of chemo and how Isabella didn’t complain about the change. It wasn’t until Isabella went back to school that she started to feel different, and her hair loss began to impact her self-esteem.
When the wig was finished, Isabella was so excited to show her mom her new wig, she looked like a different little girl. She smiled from ear to ear and spent the rest of our time flipping her hair and asking for her friend who lived next door so she could show it off.
Our day with Isabella and Jesenia was magical. When Isabella received her wig, her joy was palpable. This moment was incredibly rewarding for everyone involved and highlighted the profound impact that a simple gesture of care and support can have on a child's life.
We drove home feeling proud and motivated to reach as many young patients as possible. Stories like Isabella's fuel our commitment to providing comfort and confidence to children battling cancer. We believe that every child deserves to feel beautiful and strong, and we are dedicated to making that a reality through our programs. Isabella's journey is a testament to the power of community, resilience, and love. We are proud to be a part of her story and look forward to supporting many more children like her in the future.
To support more children like Isabella, consider donating and supporting Wigs for Comfort and Confidence.
