Poet Maya Angelou said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

That’s the story of Bonnie Hallerberg’s life. Whether in the kitchen creating meals for family and friends, designing artificial floral cemetery arrangements for those who have experienced loss, or changing the lives of Blessing Cancer Center patients - in her 70s, Bonnie is as talented and productive as ever. 

It all started in high school with her hair.

“I have really contrary hair and I wanted to be able to know what to do to make it look better,” Bonnie said. “I went to beauty school between my junior and senior year in high school and got half of my studies done. Then, I graduated from high school on a Friday night, went back to beauty school the following Tuesday – graduated three months later – and opened my own shop.”

Today, Bonnie uses her 55 years of cosmetology skill to change the lives of cancer patients. She is a volunteer with the Blessing Cancer Center Appearance Center where she cleans, sterilizes and conditions the gently used wigs donated for use by women who have lost their hair during cancer treatment. 

The creative part begins when a patient selects a wig. Bonnie works with woman to cut and style it any way they wish.

“I’ll tell someone, ‘If you want to be a blonde or redhead, we can do that for you,’ she said. “You should see what happens. It’s fun. It makes them feel like a completely different person,”

Patients don’t have to get a wig from the Blessing Cancer Center. If the wig comes from a loved one or friend, local retailer or is purchased online, Bonnie can help the woman personalize her look at no cost.

“I’ll do whatever is needed to help a cancer patient,” she said, reflecting on the fact that cancer took her father.

During her six years of sharing her creativity as a volunteer, Bonnie has changed the lives of more people than she can count, including a few who were a bit reluctant at the time in their lives.

“I’ve worked with ladies in wheelchairs, with IV poles, who were really sick and didn’t want to be there. A friend or loved one brought them to me,” she said.

“By the time I would show them how to put on some make-up and put a wig on them, they were ready to go dancing,” Bonnie said. “It almost makes me cry.”

“I can take someone who is having a really bad day and get a wig on them, style that wig, and show them how to do a little make up and they are a different person.”

“Bonnie always has a smile when I take her wigs to be cleaned and I have had wonderful feedback from patients who have reached out to her for support,” said Mary Ripper, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, outpatient clinical therapist. “We are grateful and blessed to have volunteers like Bonnie who provide acts of kindness to all they meet.”

For more information on this service of the Blessing Cancer Center, contact Rosie Baskett at the Blessing Cancer Center at 217-223-8400, ext. 7709. 

To share your time and talent – whatever your talent is – as a volunteer with Blessing Health, click here to learn about the opportunities available to you and how to get involved.