Coalition to honor breast cancer survivor at gala

When Tina Herold was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 34, she said she felt scared, isolated and alone.

Three years later, she is a survivor and part of the Young Survival Coalition, a national network dedicated to critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer.

The coalition’s Kansas City affiliate will host its second annual gala “In Living Pink” on Friday, Sept. 25, at the Overland Park Marriott, 10800 Metcalf Ave.

The group also will give Herold the Jana Peters “Life is Good” Honor, which recognizes a survivor who has inspired others by supporting young women with breast cancer and increasing awareness about breast cancer in young women in the community.

According to the coalition, since her diagnosis in 2006, Herold has devoted her time to educating others about breast cancer and supporting other young breast cancer survivors. She opened her own wig boutique, Wigged Out, to provide personalized attention to cancer patients undergoing hair loss.

Herold learned about the coalition through Regional Director Jennifer Johnson, co-author of “Nordies at Noon.”

“I was living in Washington state on a job assignment for my husband, Scott. I had no idea when I read the book that Jennifer Johnson was from Kansas City, where we were from,” Herold said. “I e-mailed her and she suggested the YSC Web site to me. It helped me tremendously. They have a community bulletin board where you can post questions. These wonderful women from all over the world will respond to your posts.

“I can’t tell you how many times being able to ask questions to women who’ve gone through it saved me. I had so many days when I would just cry all day long. Once I found YSC, it was more comforting. And to meet survivors – women who are five- and 10-year survivors – it gives you hope and that’s what you need when you’re diagnosed.”

The coalition works with survivors, caregivers and the medical, research, advocacy and legislative communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for women age 40 and younger diagnosed with breast cancer.

YSC currently maintains 24 affiliates in the United States and provides services to more than 30,000 women annually.

Herold said she feels honored and flattered to be recognized by the coalition.

“(The award is) given to a young woman who is trying to make a difference in the breast cancer community. My hope is that I am making a difference,” she said. “I promised after I was diagnosed that I would pay it forward.”

Herold’s idea for a wig boutique started with her own bad experience wig shopping after her diagnosis.

“When I went to my first wig shop, the lady just pointed to them and did not help me at all. My husband said ‘Let’s put some on.’ I looked ridiculous. I stood crying in the wig shop saying, ‘I can’t do it. I can’t do the chemo, I can’t do any of it,’” Herold said. “So we went to another place and the lady didn’t get off of her chair. Finally we found a place down in Oregon, and the lady wasn’t compassionate but she did teach me how to put a wig on.”

After moving back to Kansas City, Herold joined a support group and developed a friendship with a woman whose breast cancer had metastasized to her liver. The friend asked Herold to help her find a wig.

“We went all around the metro and she left the last place with tears in her eyes,” Herold said. “She looked at me and said, ‘This stinks.’ I said, ‘That’s it. I can make this a better experience.’ I’m younger and I’m more in tune to trendy, stylish wigs. I had really honed how to make a wig look real, what you can put on it, what you can’t put on it.”

Herold offers her services by appointment only and in a private setting. Since starting her business last October, she has helped about 75 women find wigs, all of whom she said appreciate the one-on-one experience. For more information, visit www.imwiggedout.com.

“Cancer has such a stigma to it. You’re ashamed and embarrassed, you just feel broken,” Herold said. “I wanted to establish a place that women could come and feel safe. They can cry or laugh or whatever they need to do. Most people usually cry at least once, but leave laughing because they’re so happy with the wig that they’ve selected. I want them to feel confident and beautiful.”

Herold said losing her own hair was devastating.

“Until the hair loss, you can trick your mind and say, ‘I’m just going for a little medicine,’ but the minute you lose your hair that makes it real,” she said. “It’s not just the hair, it’s the fact that you have a disease and you could die. Women are so sensitive and emotional during that time. Being able to help somebody through this journey is the best job I could ever have.”

Herold has two daughters, Sumner, 6, and Porter, 8, who were 3 and 5 when she was diagnosed.

“They were my biggest concern. I thought, ‘Will I die and leave two little girls without a mother?’” she said. “Cancer has honestly been a blessing in our lives. We are so much more grateful and appreciative of every single day. My children have kinder and softer hearts than before. If God came and said we could go back, I would chose cancer again, because the knowledge we have and the people we are now is amazing. They reach out and they aren’t afraid to help someone or hug a stranger. They’re better because of it.”

FAST FACTS

Kansas City Young Survival Coalition’s “In Living Pink” gala includes cocktails, a buffet, and silent and live auctions. Jenny Matthews from Mix 93.3 will emcee the event and Mobile Mix 93.3 will provide the dance floor soundtrack. Tickets are $75. Funds raised will support education and awareness programs and services offered by YSC. For information, visit www.youngsurvival.org/kansascity or call 642-4972.

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