Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Woman Donates Hair to Neighbor With Cancer

Aired July 26, 2002 - 14:57   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Acts of kindness can come in all shapes and sizes. One such act is truly a crowning achievement for a Canadian girl fighting cancer.

Liz Rigney with CNN affiliate ATV has this heartwarming story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LIZ RIGNEY, ATV REPORTER (voice-over): It's a big day for Amanda Stephens. It's her seventh birthday, and she has received lots of pretty packages -- perfect presents for a 7-year-old.

AMANDA STEVENS, BIRTHDAY GIRL: I got these clothes. And two Barbies.

RIGNEY: Amanda's also got cancer. And because of that, she'll get a gift that's been especially designed for her: a full head of hair.

JOE GRAVES, WIG MAKER: We put the rush on to get it in because normally it takes six, seven weeks to put this together. But in Amanda's case, with the birthday coming, we wanted to give her a birthday present.

RIGNEY: Amanda had long brown hair before her chemotherapy.

DONNA STEVENS, AMANDA'S MOTHER: She goes every three weeks for three different drugs that she gets for the chemo. And then every Friday, usually, she supposed to go for another treatment.

RIGNEY: Late last month, Amanda's neighbor, Debbie Mason- Bourque, cut her hair off so Amanda could have hair of her own.

Joe Graves specializes in custom-made wigs. His staff worked as quickly as they could so Joe could deliver Amanda's wig in time for her birthday.

GRAVES: Hi, Amanda. Happy birthday. I've got something for you here.

RIGNEY: It is almost perfect fit. Just a few minor adjustments is all that's needed. Debbie Mason-Bourque had just adjustments of her own to make after cutting her hair. She's now working with on her next donation. DEBBIE MASON-BOURQUE: My hair is there for whoever needs or wants it. It'll go wherever it's needed.

RIGNEY: While Amanda's wig didn't come in a fancy box or wrapped in pretty paper, it did come from the heart. And it's a present to end a birthday she and her family will never forget.

In Dartmouth, Liz Rigney, ATV News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com