Fancy Caps for Cancer Patients
Donation protected
My name is Liz Luque, creator of Fancy Caps. In 2004, at the age of 17, I was diagnosed with ALL T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma, which both paralyzed me and left me in the hospital for a year and 8 months.... Might not seem like a long time, but to me it felt like a lifetime. Going through chemotherapy 24hrs a day, every single day, and radiation every other day, to try and make my bones grow back felt unreal. I was told that I had a 20% chance of survival and a 1% chance of being able to walk or live a normal life again. Even though the odds were strongly not in my favor, I chose faith above everything.
There’s something very sacred about hair. It’s a big part of ones identity. The thought of losing my hair wasn’t an initial threat to me. However; after chemotherapy, my hair started falling out and then I was told to shave it all off. Once it was all the way gone, it was then that I realized how important my hair was to me. When I would look at myself in the mirror, being bald was a constant reminder that cancer was in fact my reality.
I felt powerless and insecure so I always wore beanies because I didn’t want to share my vulnerability with friends and family who came to visit me in the hospital. I felt more secure wearing a beanie, because I felt like I could hide my weakness, which was my illness. Being in Los Angeles, wearing beanies in the summer was extremely uncomfortable, but personally I would rather be hot than to disclose my baldness.
Now, after 10 years of being in remission, I still carry those memories with me. These memories combined with both my passion to help those who follow in my footsteps and being a swimwear designer, fueled me to create Fancy Caps! As a swimwear designer, I am exposed to light weight and breathable materials. I was reminded of all of my uncomfortable days in the hospital and thought about how nice it would have been to have something fresh and comfortable to wear. This inspired me to create Fancy Caps.
My goal is to alleviate some of the turmoil that comes with losing your hair and going though cancer treatment...To provide something comfortable and fashionable that can be worn by cancer patients. I hope to share my story of survival and inspire others to believe that nothing is impossible, to never give up and most importantly to keep swimming!!
My goal is to raise enough money to create hundreds of Fancy Caps to pass out to Cancer Hospitals. Every penny donated will go straight to the production of the caps that will be given out to the patients by me and my friend Stephanie who is battling cancer, and other cancer survivors.
Thank you for opening your hearts and donating to a cause that is near and dear to my heart.
With Love,
Liz
There’s something very sacred about hair. It’s a big part of ones identity. The thought of losing my hair wasn’t an initial threat to me. However; after chemotherapy, my hair started falling out and then I was told to shave it all off. Once it was all the way gone, it was then that I realized how important my hair was to me. When I would look at myself in the mirror, being bald was a constant reminder that cancer was in fact my reality.
I felt powerless and insecure so I always wore beanies because I didn’t want to share my vulnerability with friends and family who came to visit me in the hospital. I felt more secure wearing a beanie, because I felt like I could hide my weakness, which was my illness. Being in Los Angeles, wearing beanies in the summer was extremely uncomfortable, but personally I would rather be hot than to disclose my baldness.
Now, after 10 years of being in remission, I still carry those memories with me. These memories combined with both my passion to help those who follow in my footsteps and being a swimwear designer, fueled me to create Fancy Caps! As a swimwear designer, I am exposed to light weight and breathable materials. I was reminded of all of my uncomfortable days in the hospital and thought about how nice it would have been to have something fresh and comfortable to wear. This inspired me to create Fancy Caps.
My goal is to alleviate some of the turmoil that comes with losing your hair and going though cancer treatment...To provide something comfortable and fashionable that can be worn by cancer patients. I hope to share my story of survival and inspire others to believe that nothing is impossible, to never give up and most importantly to keep swimming!!
My goal is to raise enough money to create hundreds of Fancy Caps to pass out to Cancer Hospitals. Every penny donated will go straight to the production of the caps that will be given out to the patients by me and my friend Stephanie who is battling cancer, and other cancer survivors.
Thank you for opening your hearts and donating to a cause that is near and dear to my heart.
With Love,
Liz
Organizer
Liz Luque
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
