Our Mission
Our primary mission is to provide women undergoing chemotherapy with high quality wigs and practical tips for managing the issues surrounding cancer-related hair loss. Of equal importance is the caring and confidential environment we offer newly diagnosed women, where they can connect with one of our experienced Wig Advisors, a cancer survivor herself, who provides valuable information, personal insight and can refer women to a variety of local resources and support.
Our Story
Call it serendipity, kismet or just terrific timing, The Wig Exchange is the product of three people coming to the same idea from different directions. Our founding members—Sandy Samberg, Kate Conn and Paul Conn—come from professional experience as varied as healthcare, fundraising, business development, partnerships, financial exchange and registry management. What they shared was a desire to give something back and a vision of how to go about it.
Kate Conn, after her own battle with breast cancer, was wondering what to do with her expensive, slightly used wig. In response to inquiries from women with cancer who needed a wig, Sandy Samberg had been exploring ways to expand the cancer-related services that her charitable organization, SOUL RYEDERS, provides.
Paul Conn meanwhile was envisioning the how—drawing on his expertise to embrace the Internet and social media to bring disparate groups (wig donors, newly diagnosed women and sponsors) together more efficiently.
The initial conversation was further inspired by an article in the Wall Street Journal about a pay-it-forward wig, passed from one survivor to another woman starting her journey with cancer. As their conversations progressed, it soon became clear to Kate, Paul and Sandy that there was indeed an unfulfilled need here. Add the fact that most wigs last up to ten years when
properly cared for, and that most chemotherapy patients use their wigs for just six months to a year, our founders realized there must be thousands of usable wigs just sitting in closets everywhere. The idea to recycle them, while providing well-made wigs to women in need, seemed like a natural.
The Wig Exchange was officially launched in December 2011, in large part through funds donated by Tompkins Financial Advisors of White Plains, NY. In the Fall of 2014, The Wig Exchange San Francisco Bay Area launched.
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Our family and friends, colleagues and community, have all been integral in creating The Wig Exchange. As the organization continues to grow and evolve, we continue to express our gratitude for all the support we’ve received. – Kate, Paul and Sandy.
Our Team
Program Coordinators
Sandy Samberg and Susan Marynowski
Wig Advisors
Sandy Chittenden, Mary Ciampi, Janet Muller, Jackie Mazzilli, Sara Miller , Debbie Nye, Devina O’Reilly and Sally Joyce.
Wig Intake Coordinators
Susan Marynowski, Vicki Whatley, Anita Beeber, Ryan Marynowski, Christine Lombardo and Monica Brenner
Co-Founders
Sandy Samberg Paul Conn Kate Conn
Legal & Tax Information
SOUL RYEDERS® is a registered 501(c)3 public charity (TAX ID 47-3803900). As such, all donations made are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. SOUL RYEDERS will send donors of $250 or more a written acknowledgment for their tax records.
A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website (www.charitiesnys.com) or, upon request, by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or us at 1091 Boston Post Rd., Rye, NY 10580. You also may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at www.charitiesnys.com or (212) 416-8401.