Weaving through thousands of hearts across the world, starting right here in the Mat-Su

PALMER — Holly Christiansen started the Magic Yarn Project three years ago in her basement, making a few wigs here and there for friends and family’s children who’ve lost their hair after undoing chemotherapy treatment, and other medical procedures, crafting one of the most comfortable wigs available.

On Saturday, Christiansen busily helped at her non-profit organization’s first wig making workshop at the Mat-Su Region Medical Center, 10,000 wigs distributed across the world later.

“I never planned this,” Christiansen said in her purple Magic Yarn shirt, the same as about 20 trained volunteers leading the pubic, crafting hand-made wigs.

Christiansen is a former oncology nurse. She noticed how cancer patients’ skin, particularly their scalp, was tender and sensitive after chemotherapy and other treatments that strip them of their locks. This was heart-wrenching for Christiansen to witness, especially with young patients. She discovered that her friend’s daughter was diagnosed with cancer. She made her a Rupenzel wig, then more for her other friends, family and colleagues.

The rest is history.

This idea proved to be a pioneering movement in the cancer community and the world took quick notice.

“Now that it’s world-wide, it’s not going anywhere,” Magic Yarn volunteer Heather Perry said.

Perry’s daughter made sure to point out a custom-made wig, based on the main character of “Roller Girl,” one of her favorite books.

Christiansen said that Roller Girl was one of several examples of another option outside the very popular princesses and other popular character wigs and caps.

After years of communication, the author, Victoria Jamieson, replied to Magic Yarm, stating she was flattered by their interest in her story. She penned a handwritten letter with a drawing as the closing insignia, “yay stickers!” in a dialogue bubble from the helmet-wearing protagonist, citing the real and free stickers within the envelope.

“I’m here whenever she needs extra hands,” Perry said.

Tami LeCheminant is a 10-year breast cancer survivor. She said that she’s been a nearby neighbor and a close friend to Christiansen for years.

“There was nothing like this,” LeCheminant said.

She started volunteering as soon as she felt the first yarn wig. One particular fleece-lined hat was her best bet for comfort until she tried a Magic Yarn product.

“I know what it was like to lose my hair, so I could only imagine losing your hair as a kid,” LeCheminant said.

LeCheminant said that over the years, she was worried during the project’s dry spells.

“Then suddenly, donations would start coming in, she would get more media exposure which in turn, brought in more request and more applications for volunteers,” LeCheminant said.

LeCheminant described longtime volunteer, Bree Hitchcock as “Holly’s right hand,” taking care of every nook and cranny along the way. Christiansen’s vision seemed to catch on like wild fire, at home and burning abroad, inspiring many other communities to start up their own chapter.

“They’re doing what we’re doing here today,” Christiansen said.

Over the 2018 summer, the Magic Yarn Project established its first eight chapters, over a year since Christiansen’s first interview with the Frontiersman, in her garage, filled to the brim with plastic bins of wigs, yarn, do-it-yourself-kits, and the like.

“Now that there’s been chapters established, it’s just exploded,” she said

Christiansen’s garage is undoubtedly still covered in letters, pictures and boxes of wigs, only now, her actions are replicated in several communities with more to come. She said that she’s seen a lot of interest in Canada and Europe and hopes to expand there by 2019.

Traditional wigs and most hats proved to be itchy and otherwise uncomfortable for a majority of cancer and other serious illness patients for years. Christiansen had a solution, a soft yarn wigs, hats and other caps, softer than other previous options. This concept, at this scale was actually fairly revolutionary, clearly seen in then countless national and international medical stories around the Magic Yarn Project.

The MSRMC held a contest leading up to this event, seeing which department could donate the most skeins (balls) of yarn. Surgery took first, with Intensive Care Unit in second, and Imagery in third.

“This is a community event,” MSRMC Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Alan Craft said.

Christiansen’s goal was to make 100 wigs during MSRMC event, and the turnout was tremendous, going five wigs over her goal. This premier event is one of many events at MSRMC, and according to both sides, both are eager and hopeful to make this yet another annual event.

“We have a strong community culture here [at MSRMC],” Craft said.

All of the wigs made that day were donated to Saint Jude’s Hospital, for children across Alaska and the Lower 48.

“It’s crazy that it’s been three years,” Christiansen’s said.

September held special meaning for three particular reasons, according to Christiansen. First, this is childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and secondly, this month marks the Magic Yarn Project’s third year as a volunteer ran, non-profit organization. And third, this month also is a wig-making milestone, 10,000 made and disturbed across the world.

“It’s a worthwhile project,” Craft said.

Over the past three years the Magic Yarn Project has established eight chapters (seven in the U.S. and one in Mexico), gained 20,000 volunteers, made 10,000 total wigs as of September

More than 150 people attended the MSRMC event. More than 300 skeins of yarns donated by MRSMC staff and 105 wigs made at the MSRMC workshop. Christiansen anticipates another seven to eight chapters (low-balling) and ideally, about 15 to 20, all trained and ready to go by the end of next spring. The numbers of volunteers, “Magic Makers” grows at a surprising rate, she said.

“I could not be happier,” Christiansen said.