A cancer diagnosis is difficult on its own, but the treatment and side effects can also be devastating. Hair loss as a result of chemotherapy can be particularly distressing. Hair can be a major part of a person’s identity, and its loss can be an unwelcome reminder of disease that can affect self-image, confidence and a patient’s attitude towards treatment.
Scalp cooling, or cold capping, can reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss by using extremely cold temperatures to constrict the blood vessels in the scalp area so less chemotherapy reaches the hair cells. Therefore, hair cells may be able to survive chemotherapy treatment and hair is less likely to fall out.
Thanks to philanthropy, several of our hospitals, including Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital were able to offer the DigniCap Scalp Cooling System to dozens of patients in 2025. Some of our patients are so grateful to have access to this system that they’ve been inspired to give back. Here are just a few of their stories.
Nancy
Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Her treatment included chemotherapy, radiation and oral medication. Because of chemotherapy, she lost her hair.
“I have three daughters, so I underwent genetic testing, but my results were negative,” Nancy said. “But several years later, my daughter, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She tested positive for genetic factors. I was retested, and my results were also positive.”
Amy had chemotherapy and a double mastectomy at Advocate Lutheran General. Her main concern about treatment was hair loss, but she was able to use DigniCap, which was new at the hospital.
“She was actually the first person who got it, and it saved her hair. It got thin, and she lost some on the crown of her head, but it was still enough to put in a ponytail. She went through chemo, but no one could tell she had cancer because she kept her hair.”
In 2017, Nancy started the Hair and Hope fund at Advocate Lutheran General because she wanted to help other women during cancer treatment.
“Having the DigniCap meant a lot to my daughter, and I hope others are also positively impacted,” she shared. “I’ll keep donating for as long as I can because I’ve seen the impact firsthand.”
Courtney
Courtney was 33 when she found a lump in her breast. It was the summer of 2020 and the middle of the COVID pandemic.
“I had two kids at the time – a toddler and a baby, and I was nursing,” explained Courtney. “I initially thought it was a clogged duct, but when it didn’t go away, I went to see my doctor.”
Courtney was diagnosed with stage 2 HER2-positive breast cancer. She had six rounds of chemo, 27 rounds of radiation and a double mastectomy at Advocate Illinois Masonic. During chemotherapy, Courtney was offered scalp cooling through DigniCap.
“To be able to keep my hair was very empowering. It was a time when I couldn’t control anything. I couldn’t control cancer, but I could control this. The option to keep my hair meant my kids would still recognize their mom and not be scared. It helped me focus and strengthened my mental health and overall well-being.”
After her successful treatment, Courtney started a Hair and Hope fund at Advocate Illinois Masonic. She later set up the Hair and Hope Foundation, which raises awareness and funding to provide scalp cooling to cancer patients. Since 2021, the foundation has donated nearly $18,000 to Advocate Charitable Foundation.
Mary
Mary’s breast cancer journey began in August 2023 at the Breast Center at Advocate Good Shepherd. Her treatment included 12 rounds of chemotherapy and 25 immunotherapy treatments. The chemo would most certainly cause total hair loss.
“Fortunately, my doctors listened to my needs and were able to secure the use of the DigniCap system for me,” she explained. “My journey was definitely made easier by the great results I received using the DigniCap. I had very minimal hair loss, which made me feel better about myself.”
After her treatment, Mary wanted to make sure others had access to the DigniCap system. She started a DIY fundraiser to support scalp cooling at Advocate Good Shepherd and raised more than $53,000.
“I’m a big believer in DigniCap. It worked for me. I was able to go out to dinner and go on vacation during chemotherapy and no one knew I had cancer. People shouldn’t have to lose their hair if they don’t have to.”
How you can help
Programs and services like the DigniCap system are available for more of our patients because of the generosity of donors.
“Philanthropy truly changes lives in oncology care,” said Dr. Sandeep Chunduri, oncologist and co-medical director of the Cancer Prevention Center at Advocate Good Shepherd. “DigniCap scalp cooling gives patients the chance to preserve their hair during chemotherapy. This isn’t just about appearance; it’s about confidence and feeling like themselves. I see firsthand how these gifts bring hope and comfort, and I hear from patients every day how much it means to them.”
Please consider making a gift today.