THE FOLLOWING IS A HORIZON HEALTH RELEASE
ABOVE: The Paris Community Hospital Volunteers recently donated cold caps to the Horizon Health Infusion Center which patients use to minimize hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.
Pictured left to right: Megan Akers (Infusion Clinic), Carol Keller (Volunteer Co-Treasurer), Carol Winkler (Volunteer), Janine Brann (Volunteer Co-Treasurer), Jody Sperry (Volunteer Secretary), Allison Windell (Infusion), Linda Lane (Volunteer Vice President), Ulrike Moreno (Volunteer), Peg Raley (Volunteer President), Marnita Stuck (Volunteer), Lorraine Bailey (Volunteer), Jenna Forster (Infusion Clinic Supervisor), Mary Ann Magers (Volunteer), Kyle Mohon (Pharmacy), Beth Keys (Pharmacy Manager), Rachel Kelley, Vice President of Nursing & Chief Nursing Officer), Mike Slaven (Volunteer), and Karmen Rowe (Infusion Clinic).
(Paris, IL)—The Paris Community Hospital (PCH) Volunteers are hoping to minimize hair loss for patients receiving chemotherapy treatments.
Their donation of two cold caps will be used by patients at the Horizon Health Infusion Center. Linda Lane, PCH Volunteer vice president, donated a third cold cap independently as a tribute to her daughter who lost her battle with breast cancer.
“These cold caps are more than just a gift – they represent thoughtfulness, compassion, and unwavering support by our Volunteers,” said Jenna Forster, Infusion Center supervisor. “These caps not only provide comfort, but also a renewed sense of hope during a difficult time for our patients.”
A cold cap is a cooling system that slows hair loss by lowering scalp temperature during chemotherapy. Patients wear a special cap that is connected to an automated device that circulates cooled liquid. The cold temperature temporarily constricts blood vessels in the scalp, limiting the amount of chemotherapy drug that reaches hair follicles.
Kyle Mohon initiated the cold cap program for patients and the partnership between the Infusion Center and PCH Volunteers. She purchased a cold cap months ago to use during her own chemo treatments. Her “manual” cooling cap is similar to an ice pack, lowering scalp temperature like an automated cooling system.
“It worked really well,” she said. “It also helps with headaches.”
Cold caps work best with certain types or doses of chemo, according to the American Cancer Society. Each person responds differently to scalp cooling, and it is not recommended in all instances. Cold caps are designed for adults with solid tumor cancers and cannot be used by patients with blood cancer or severe liver problems.
In addition to the Infusion Center, Horizon Health offers a free cancer support group. The Cancer Friendship Group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 10 am at Horizon Health’s main campus. For more information, call 217-466-4862.
About Horizon Health
Horizon Health is a rural health system comprising a 25-bed critical access hospital, an assisted living facility for memory care patients, an ambulance service, home health, dialysis, six rural health clinics, two EZ Care walk-in clinics, and numerous specialty practices. Specialty services range from surgical podiatry and bariatrics to urology and spine surgery. Horizon Health’s primary campus is in Paris, Illinois, with clinic locations throughout east central Illinois and west central Indiana.
For a full list of Horizon Health’s locations and services, visit MyHorizonHealth.org.
