ORLANDO, Fla. —
Ritzy Rags Wigs and More in College Park is offering free wigs to breast cancer patients throughout October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Monika Koleva was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer last May at the age of 30, despite having no family history of the disease.
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“I got the phone call while I was at work, and I just remember blacking out,” Koleva said.
The College Park mother of two had a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Her journey led her to Ritzy Rags Wigs and More, where she discovered the free wig giveaway for the month of October.
“I lost both of my breasts, and now I lost my hair, and I just did not feel confident anymore, losing my womanhood,” Koleva said.
She came to the College Park store, where she met Leigh Shannon, who owns Ritzy Rags Wigs and More.
“As soon as I walked in, Leigh — we just hugged. He let me sit in this chair and cry for 10 minutes,” she said.
They tried on medical-grade wigs, which are lightweight and easy to wash and style.
“Remember it?” Shannon said.
“I do remember it. Oh, it looks just like it did last year,” Koleva said.
Koleva said she felt like herself again. She felt confident, beautiful and a sense of normalcy.
Shannon, who is also a comic impersonator, gives back to the community in memory of his mother.
He lost her to breast cancer about 40 years ago.
“So we never got her a good wig, so now I feel like every woman I fit, I’m giving my mom a good wig,” Shannon said.
Shannon tells his customers that it’s only hair; it will grow back, and getting well comes first.
Koleva has great news.
“I am officially in remission, and tomorrow I am having my surgery to remove my port and have my reconstruction done,” Koleva said.
As Koleva explained, it is a long journey but one thing she wants to make sure is that each and every woman gets checked out.
“Cancer hits everybody. Again, you know, 30 years old. So, I am big on getting yourself checked. Go do your mammograms,” Koleva said.
Shannon also has gift cards from a local restaurant and grocery store to help patients with food.
If you want to learn more about the free wig giveaway for October, just send your story, photos and any information about your need to ritzyragsemail@aol.com.
