Cancer Patients Are Stylist's First Priority

What began as a favor to a client quickly became a lifelong commitment for a local hair stylist to help cancer patients look and feel the best they can for the past 17 years.

Joyce Tullock, of East Granby, has been a hair stylist for most of her life, and formerly owned and operated Concepts I and Concepts II hair salons in Simsbury and Canton. When one of her clients asked for her help during one of the most trying times in her life, she didn't hesitate to assist her.

"I had a client who came to me and said she had been diagnosed with cancer and that she was going to lose her hair," Tullock said. "She asked me to order a wig for her."

At the time, and still today, there are no businesses in the area offering such a service, Tullock explained. If cancer patients want to find a wig to replace the hair they've lost during their treatments they might have to go as far as New York City to find the help they need.

Tullock said she hadn't had any experience with wigs, but she did know her client and she knew how to style hair.

"I ordered two wigs, just in case one wasn't quite right," Tullock said.

Shortly after helping her client find the right wig, that client referred another person to Tullock's salon. Tullock still didn't want to take the chance of not finding the right fit and ordered two wigs again.

"Before you knew it, I had wigs all over the place."

When Tullock saw the difference she could make for someone fighting cancer she decided it was a service she needed to provide. She then contacted a wig dealer and set up a display of wigs in her salon. At one point, Tullock recalled, she had nearly 100 wigs in her collection.

Because of the high costs involved in purchasing a wig, Tullock has always offered her customers free consultations, sizing, trimming, fitting and styling.

"I feel that people really need this support during the time that they're going through this," Tullock said.

And her efforts didn't stop there. Tullock also got involved as a volunteer with the Look Good Feel Better program at the Harry Gray Cancer Centers in Hartford and Avon. There she worked with cancer patients teaching them how to care for their skin, apply makeup, and taught them about wigs.

When Tullock's own daughter Melody was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39, she was devestated but she was also prepared to help her while she underwent treatment. Melody lost her battle with cancer and died at age 47 just three years ago. Tullock became even more committed to helping others.

Both of Tullock's salons had gone out of business by 2007 but she remained determined to continue the service that she had been providing and recently approached Tom Nigro, owner of the in Simsbury.

"It's for a good cause," Nigro said. He quickly agreed to help Tullock and made space for her to rent in his salon.

Today, anyone seeking her experience can schedule appointments with Tullock for the same services she has been providing over the past 17 years.

"It just makes me feel good and I hope it makes them feel good," Tullock said.

For more information on her services or to schedule an appointment, visit the Artista Hair Salon website.