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November 2, 2010

When, Delores Lynch experienced breast cancer firsthand, she found the experience of shopping for wigs, breast prostheses and support bras "difficult and traumatic." Which is why Lynch opened Delores’ Survivors’ Wig and Form Boutique almost 13 years ago. Her goal was "to provide a personalized, intimate experience for survivors and women undergoing treatment for breast cancer."

In 1995, Lynch was diagnosed with a tumor in her left breast, resulting in a total mastectomy, six months of chemotherapy, 30 radiation treatments and 60 physical therapy sessions. But the most difficult aspect of treatment for her was losing her hair. "It was very traumatic," Lynch said. "I'm a proud person. When I started losing my hair I was devastated. I was referred to a hair salon that sold wigs, but I wasn’t happy with it. It looked horrible and it didn’t fit." She also hadn’t been informed that her insurance company would pay for the wig.

In addition, Lynch had a hard time finding local stores where she could purchase breast prosthesis or additional support bras. When a representative from the insurance company came to her house and fitted her for the breast prosthesis she felt, "It wasn’t personal at all." So, she decided to "open a boutique to provide the service I sought."

She and business partner Charlie Demers, who has since passed away, opened the first boutique almost 13 years ago in a small shop in Massachusetts. "My main concern was making people comfortable," she said. "When people come in they think they’re going to walking up and down aisles like they’re in a store. By the time they leave, they’re very happy with our services."

Lynch's shop offers scarves, head wraps, wigs, prostheses, swim forms and support bras is in the private backrooms of the boutique. "I always give people a list of other places to go to," she said. "I’m not trying to make a sale, it’s a service. I want people to be happy."

In addition to her years of experience fitting clients, Lynch is also a Board of Certification and American Board of Certification fitting consultant who and works closely with the oncology centers, hospitals and doctors offices in Rhode Island, the SouthCoast and Cape Cod that refer clients to the boutique. "I’m a survivor helping other survivors," said Lynch, whose daughter, Diane Hayden is also a survivor of breast cancer. "At the end of the day, the reward is helping someone else: they’re so grateful."

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