Lisa Moellenbernt Donates Locks While Battling Chronic Condition
Sometimes when you are in pain you want to give up, but instead you give back and that is exactly what Lisa Moellenberndt did when she decided to donate 12 inches of her hair to Wigs for Kids. Moellenberndt has had non-Hodgkin’s follicular lymphoma since 2016. Non-Hodgkin’s follicular lymphoma is a chronic condition that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes which help your body fight infections. Some symptoms that Moellenberndt has are shortness of breath, tiredness, swollen lymph nodes and generalized unexplained aches and pains. It is incurable, but is manageable with chemotherapy.
On June 5 Moellenbernt got her hair cut at Rève Salon by Gail Henneke. Henneke, who has known Moellenbernt practically her whole life and considers her her aunt, has helped Moellenbernt with her hair since the start of her cancer diagnosis. “I remember clearly the day she came into the salon and we shaved it. It was a very hard day,” said Henneke. “I had been doing her hair for many years and being family and knowing how hard it is for women to not only let go of their hair, but for reasons that involved fighting for her life, it was so hard. So as soon as we finished shaving her head, we left for Austin to try to find a wig, but she ultimately settled on scarves and hats.”
As Moellenbernt’s hair started to slowly grow back, she had developed what some call “chemo curls.” “Chemo curls” is a curly textural change to the hair that many cancer patients experience when they finish chemotherapy and the hair starts to regrow. As she decided to embrace her new curls, it took a long time for her to grow it out to the point where she could donate it. “Her long hair was a reminder that she survived the chemo and the cancer, so cutting it was a bit like closing that chapter in her life, but also helping kids by donating it.” said Henneke.
Wigs for Kids, the nonprofit organization Moellenbernt chose to donate her hair to, knows that children who have cancer and go through the process of losing their hair do not just suffer physically, but the change in their appearance can seriously undermine their self-image and ruin their selfesteem. Moellenbernt chose Wigs for Kids because she cannot imagine being a child and having to go through chemo like she did. “It was hard enough what I had to go through and I know that it is the best use for my hair,” said Moellenbernt.
All her siblings admire her strength, determination and selflessness. Her youngest sis ter, Sherry Huebel, said, “She has always done her best to help others. She has a big heart and loves her family. After all she has gone through, she has never lost her beautiful smile.” Her middle sister, Ginger Friemel, also said, “I’m very proud of her! I admire her strength and she fights every day! She’s determined to win this battle.” Charles Hoffmann, her younger brother, furthermore said how proud he was of his sister, “My sister is an amazing lady. Even during her cancer battle she is always doing for others. Her donation of hair does not surprise me and makes me very proud!”
Moellenbernt would like anyone who is suffering from any cancer diagnosis to remember that “Attitude is 90%, maybe more, of your treatment success, so keep a positive attitude. Keep your faith strong! Thank God for the small accomplishments! Make a goal to get outside every day if only for a few minutes or at least sit in the sunshine at a window. Remember if God brought it to you, He will bring you through it!”