A little soul found herself braving the unthinkable: cancer of the muscle cells. At just 4 years old, Amare went through 42 weeks of chemotherapy and 6 to 8 weeks of radiation.
By her side through it all was Haley Koning, a nurse in Hematology, Oncology, and the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Children's Hospital Oakland. Haley provided care, love, and hope. As Amare started winning her battle, Haley decided to fight for something else too: her happiness.
Amare just wanted to be a kid. She wanted to run and play with the other kids. And being a kid, in her mind, also meant having hair like her sisters.
So Haley brought Amare to Perfect Locks. The moment she walked into the showroom, her whole face lit up. She wanted to touch the hair, try it all on, see herself in different versions of who she might be. Our team worked with her to find the right full lace human hair wig for her natural look. By the time we found the one, the smile she gave was the kind that makes everyone in the room remember why they do this work.
She wanted to touch the hair, try it all on. When we found her wig, she said it made her feel happy.
First Came Light. Then Came Love.
Amare didn't have a stable place to call home. She'd been living on Haley's hospital floor while Haley had been considering adoption. With her caregiving background and her husband's own experience surviving cancer, Haley and her husband would become the family Amare needed. Amare found her people.
At Perfect Locks, we don't make pieces just for the way they look. We make them for the smiles that radiate from inside - and for the lives behind those smiles.
About children's wigs and our pediatric program
Children navigating cancer or other medical hair loss face a different set of needs than adults. We approach pediatric wig fittings with that in mind.
Comfort comes before everything else. A child's scalp is more sensitive than an adult's, and they're less likely to put up with discomfort. We choose breathable cap constructions, lighter weight hair, and adjustable sizing for every pediatric fitting.
Let the child lead the choice. The wig has to feel right to the kid wearing it. We bring options to the consultation - different lengths, textures, colors - and let the child decide which one feels like them. The parent's role is support, not selection.
Through our Oakland Children's Hospital partnership, we provide one free human hair wig per month to a child in treatment. If your family is connected to the hospital and looking at a wig, reach out to our showroom - we'll guide you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are human hair wigs safe for children?
Yes - human hair wigs are commonly used for pediatric hair loss and are often more comfortable than synthetic for daily wear. The cap construction matters: softer, breathable linings; lighter weight; and adjustable sizing as the child grows. We fit pediatric wigs at our Walnut Creek showroom and work at the child's pace during the fitting.
How does Perfect Locks' pediatric wig program work?
Through our partnership with Oakland Children's Hospital, we provide one free human hair wig per month to a child in treatment. Eligible families work with hospital staff or contact our showroom directly. We provide the wig at no cost and walk through selection, customization, fitting, and styling together.
What's the right age to fit a child for a wig?
There's no minimum age - we've fit children as young as 4. The right time depends on the child's readiness and the family's situation. The fitting itself is gentle and unhurried, with breaks if needed. The most important factor is that the child is interested and feels in control of the choice.
Can a child's wig be styled like normal hair?
Yes - that's part of why we recommend human hair for pediatric wigs. The hair can be brushed, washed, gently heat-styled, and put up in a ponytail or braids like normal hair. We coach parents on care basics during the fitting so the wig holds up to daily kid life.