For some women, hair loss during chemotherapy only adds to the devastation of a diagnosis of cancer.

To make matters worse, most insurance companies do not pay for wigs, said Bonny Diver-Hall, a breast cancer survivor and founder of a nonprofit organization called Hair Peace.

Hair Peace provides women being treated for cancer with $100 toward the purchase of a wig.

Two years ago, Mrs. Diver-Hall, of Avalon, discovered that she had breast cancer.

"I had mammograms every year once I turned 40, and they never showed anything. Then I fell off my horse and broke my shoulder blade," she said. "When I was lying on the couch, feeling my bruises, I found a lump."

During treatment of her cancer, Mrs. Diver-Hall, 46, a local radio announcer, became an advocate of cancer awareness and self-exams by women.

"People would hear me on the air and would contact me to come and talk to their groups," said Mrs. Diver-Hall, who has worked for a number of local radio stations. "That is when my doctor told me I should help local women." So she started her organization, which helps cancer patients buy wigs and offers emotional support.

Mrs. Diver-Hall credits her faith with assisting her fight against cancer, so she wanted to have a faith-based organization.

Referrals come to Mrs. Diver-Hall through friends, fellow church members, doctors and those who see brochures she has distributed. Hair Peace is working with 15 women, Mrs. Diver-Hall said, and received another referral in mid-February.

She also helps in other ways. "Many need other things. Women like to have control of their life, and they lose control with cancer. We try to give them some normalcy," she said.

Assistance can come in the form of meals provided by her church -- Ingomar United Methodist -- prayer chains and or just through listening. "Some of these women just want someone else to talk to who has been in the same situation," she said.

Wendy Hoffee, of Wilkinsburg, has had breast cancer twice in the past year. "They told me that my hair would fall out within two weeks [because of chemotherapy], she said. She depends on her job to provide necessary medical benefits but didn't want to go to work bald.

"I needed a wig and found out that it would be about $300. I had medical expenses and that was a lot of money," she said. "The American Cancer Society gave me $75, but I was desperate. They told me about Bonny and she sent $100 to the place that I was getting the wig."

Laurie McCoy, of Crescent, is a breast cancer survivor who lost her hair after chemotherapy. She has received a wig with Mrs. Diver-Hall's help.

"She has given me courage and has helped in sharing her experience with me. I wouldn't wish this on anyone, and she has helped me through it," she said.

Debbie Glatz, of Ross, was just diagnosed with breast cancer but she knows she wants a wig.

Mrs. Glatz said she was most concerned about her two boys, ages 13 and 11. "I don't want to show up places with them looking like an alien with no hair," she said.

She found Mrs. Diver-Hall's name through her doctor's office and talked to her right away. "I also went to a relaxation seminar that she had and met her there. Everyone has come out of the woodwork to be helpful."

Mrs. Diver-Hall had radiation therapy instead of chemotherapy so she didn't lose her hair during her own battle with cancer.

Some of those who contact her may not need money, but they want the support she provides. "They will tell me to use the money for someone else, but they still need other things," she said.

One of the things may be a prayer quilt made by members of her church. The threads on the corners of the prayer quilts are left untied so that as people pass a quilt at the church, they say a prayer and tie a thread.

The quilts are given to the women to place on their laps during chemotherapy. "They can look at the quilt and know that someone has tied every one of those knots and prayed for them -- someone they don't even know," Mrs. Diver-Hall said.

Ms. Hoffee is also looking forward to getting a prayer quilt from Mrs. Diver-Hall and treasures her assistance in other ways as well. "She calls me all the time to see how I am doing," she said.

Although she is still in the midst of chemotherapy, Ms. Hoffee is trying to live as normal a life as possible. "I rest on the weekend and still go to work," she said. "Thanks to Bonny and my wig, I feel normal."

For more information about Hair Peace, contact the Ingomar United Methodist Church at 412-364-3613 or e-mail Mrs. Diver-Hall at bdiver1@verizon.net.