Theft of wigs for children with cancer is heartbreaking, shop manager says

The manager of a Vancouver store wherewigsintended for childrenwith cancer were stolen says it hasbeen heartbreaking to call their families and break the news.

Frances Rae, manager of Eva and CompanyWigs, saidthe families have been understanding, and one six-year-old girl wrote a letter to shopstaff saying she wasn't worried about her wig, but wanted to make sure the employees were OK.

Some of the childrenhad skipped the first week of school so they could start classes with their new hair, she said. Nowtheyhave to wait six weeks to two months for new ones.

Custom-made wigs

Police said at least 150wigsworth about $2,500 each were taken from the store early Friday morning. About 15 of those had been prepared for BC Children's Hospital patients,including children with cancer and other medical conditions, such as alopecia, that involve hair loss, Rae said.

Thewigsfor sick children are made with donated virgin hair, which means it hasn't been dyed.

When the childrencome in, staff measure their heads and look through pictures with them, so they can choose the colour, density and texture they like. Then they find donated hair from about a dozen ponytails that fit the bill to construct thewigs.

It's always a good feeling to call a child and say the wig is ready, Rae said.

"You know you can just see that look on someone's face when it goes from sadness, because you know they have a tube out of their neck and a tube up their nose and they've got no hair. And then when you put a wig on their head, they just smile.''

Rae said the thief or thieves broke in through the business next door that'sunder renovation.

"They broke into that, then took a crowbar and just smashed through the wall and came into our place,'' she said.

Police are looking for a man with long curly black hairwho was last seen walking away from the store carrying a large black garbage bag and wearing a denim or blue jacket.

Sgt. Jason Robillard said police need people to come forward with information, andit's possible someone is in possession of one or more of thewigswithout knowing they were stolen or intended for sick children.