When Pam Arnold and friend Melanie Cavender were both diagnosed with breast cancer, they naturally leaned on each other for support. While the two ladies endured the burdens that breast cancer patients face, they came to realize the lack of outside resources and information. Arnold and Cavender didn’t want other women to suffer as they had and sought ways to create a support program.

Cavender pushed forward to follow through with their dreams of helping others. She discovered a program founded at the YMCA in Cool Springs called the After Breast Cancer, or ABC, program and brought the concept to Murfreesboro.

Cavender remembers how she and Arnold created lists of many of the same ideals that the ABC program is founded upon, she said.

“She was a big supporter of me; Pam truly pushed me to do what I can,” Cavender said. “She was even cutting jokes at the hospital. I told her, ‘You know I’m only doing what I’m doing because of what we talked about.’ She said, ‘Yes, and you’re never going to stop.’ And I won’t. I made a promise that I will always work with ladies (diagnosed with breast cancer).

“Working with the women and having them give me hugs—these women are so appreciative to have someone out there to help them,” Cavender continued.

To ease the minds of breast cancer patients, if only a little bit, Cavender decided to create a wig bank.

On top of coping with hair loss as a result of chemotherapy, breast cancer patients are faced with the cost of expensive wigs, which can range from $75 to more than $200. Worse yet, they’d only wear the wigs for a few months until their hair began to regrow.

Cavender called on several friends—all of whom were more than willing to help—to make her and Arnold’s dream a reality.

Before the project came to fruition, Arnold passed away. But Cavender used grief as fuel to push forth, ultimately dedicating the Wig Bank in memory of Arnold.

Top of the Block co-owners Martha Osborne and Pam Mack offered space inside their cozy salon, located near the corner of Memorial Boulevard and Lokey Avenue.

“It feels like such a teeny, tiny offering for such a big cause,” Osborne said.

Mack added, “We have this huge building—it just had to be for something.”

Through a $1,500 grant provided by Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation and with the help of local State Beauty Supply co-owner Keith Sanford, the Wig Bank was born.

When Sanford found out about the up-and-coming Wig Bank, he said he wanted to help. His mother died of breast cancer when he was still in high school, so he describes this project as being “that’s something very close to me.”

Along with business partner Doug Patrick, Sanford offered to purchase wigs at cost for the Wig Bank. To kick off the program, Sanford provided five wigs made from synthetic and human hair, products to clean and style wigs and a mannequin head.

During the unveiling of the Wig Bank at Top of the Block in October, Pam Arnold’s husband recalled how Pam and Cavender “had lots of time over the past couple of years. I’m so glad that Melanie is bringing it all to fruition.”

“Some people slam into a pond like a rock, but Pam jumped into that pond full of life. She created ripples full of life. She’s able to touch people’s lives for years to come,” Mike Arnold continued.

“To have this is one of the things they don’t have to worry about. Pam would be so proud and so humbled that it’s dedicated in her honor.”

For additional information about the Wig Bank, visit Top of the Block salon, located at 314 W. Lokey Ave. in Murfreesboro, or contact Holly Sneed at (615) 624-3374 to set up an appointment.