Cancer brings many challenges for its victims. Some women struggle with hair-loss after receiving treatment for cancer and after contracting various other diseases or disorders. To overcome these challenges, some women wear wigs, others wear scarves and some go bald.

Devoting her business to helping women diagnosed with cancer, Marlene Giusti of Hollywood Wigs tries to help these women by accommodating their needs and providing the privacy they need to feel comfortable and safe. Born in Akron Ohio, Giusti lived in a house of women with five other sisters. Part of the inspiration for her business came from the death of her father.

“I grew up in Akron, Ohio,” Giusti said. “My childhood influenced me in a lot of ways because I was one of six children in my family and we were all girls. It was growing up in a house of women. My father died from cancer when we were very young. That left my mother with six very little girls to raise. That was very influential as for my career choice as a nurse and what I am doing now.”

Giusti first attended Fresno City and eventually was admitted into the Fresno State nursing program. It took her around nine years to complete the program due to her responsibilities as a mother and the struggle of going through a divorce.

Following graduation, Giusti got her first nursing job at Saint Agnes where she worked in the medical-surgical department. Over the course of her career she worked as a public health nurse with Fresno County and as a nurse with Fresno Unified School District.

After retiring from nursing, Giusti purchased Hollywood Wigs. Inspired by nursing and her father’s struggle with cancer, Giusti wanted to help cancer patients through her wig business. Giusti dreamed of owning a boutique after she retired, but instead purchased Hollywood Wigs in hopes of helping cancer patients throughout the valley.

“I dreamed of owning my own business someday, but I had no idea it would be a wig salon,” Giusti said. “I purchased Hollywood Wigs in 2008 when I retired from my nursing career. Nursing and my father passing away from cancer inspired me to open Hollywood Wigs.The cancer element was always a part of me and with my nursing background, it was just a way of me giving back. Hollywood Wigs was a nice fit for me when I retired, but I never thought I would own a wig salon. I thought maybe I would end up owning a small business boutique or something similar to that. It turned out to be the wig salon and it has been a really good thing for me.”

Giusti prides herself on putting the needs of customers first. She strives to give patients a safe and private environment. To accomplish this, Giusti keeps her business small, only accepting inquiries from clients who have made appointments.

“Open by appointment gives the ladies a private consultation to try on wigs to see what suits them best,” Giusti said. “Another reason for the private consultation, is that it may take one woman 30 minutes to pick out a wig and another woman two hours. Most importantly, the women are not rushed or pressured to buy anything.  We strive to give them a relaxed, comfortable place for them as this procedure can be very emotional. They need a private place where they are not exposed to crowds and people that may be sick. This is a precaution I take very seriously for their well being.”

Giusti recommends cancer patients to visit a salon before beginning treatment. Patients who visit a salon before treatment have more time to choose the right wig and be able to transition easily into the wig once the hair-loss begins. Not for everyone however, Giusti’s customers sometimes choose scarves or hats over wigs.

“My advice for cancer patients going through treatment and who have hair loss, would be to visit a salon before they start treatment and before they begin to lose their hair. They will have more time to pick out what is right for them. When they are ready to transition into their wig, they can do that easily. Another thing women going through treatment need to know is that a wig may not be right for them. They may feel comfortable with scarves or hats, and there are women who are very comfortable going bald and proud. There is no right or wrong.”

Hollywood wigs, over the past six years, raised more money in the corporate division of the Susan G. Komen Race than anyone else. Hollywood Wigs also hosts the Pink Ribbon Fundraiser. This year the Pink Ribbon Fundraiser is taking place at Hollywood Wigs, Sept. 11. The Susan G. Komen Race is Sept. 17 at Chukchansi Park. Giusti hopes to continue to bring cancer patients across the valley with the best products and care available.

To learn more about Hollywood Wigs, please visit hollywoodhairsolutions.com

For another feature read, Local NFL football stars support Valley Children’s Hospital, patients.

This writer can be reached via email: Sam Cross.