DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The diagnosis was a shock for Sophie Jasper, a 16-year-old from Dubuque who enjoys playing volleyball, running track and swimming and has won numerous medals.
Without warning, Jasper woke up on January 5 with bruises all over her body. The diagnosis: leukemia. Jasper said her doctor ordered immediate treatment because without treatment she would suffer organ failure in a few days.
Before starting chemotherapy at the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Jasper said goodbye to her friends.
“I just walked into their classroom and asked, ‘Can I talk to so-and-so outside?'” Jasper explained. “I cried and told them I had cancer and that I was leaving and I didn’t know how long I was going to be there. (My friends) were just shocked.”
Three weeks later, Jasper was able to return home. However, she was in an exhausted state.
“It was almost like I was in a coma because I was so tired, had no blood and was anemic,” Jasper said. “I think afterward I thought, ‘Am I going to be able to go back to my life?'”
After the first wave of treatment, Jasper’s hair began to thin.
“One night,” Sophie’s mother Chris Jasper said. “She took a shower and there were huge clumps of hair in the shower. The next day she wanted to have all her hair removed. It was too hard to get rid of the hair bit by bit.”
Chris compared it to ripping off a Band-Aid.
Later that month, the Jaspers ordered a wig from Children With Hair Loss, a nonprofit organization that provides free hair replacement services to children and young adults with medically-related hair loss.
Jasper has several synthetic wigs, but the Children With Hair Loss wig matches her hair color and thickness, is easy to style, and is heat resistant. She noticed that it boosts her confidence.
“It’s nice to have the opportunity to look the way you did before all this and to know that you can get your old life back,” Jasper explained.
Jasper said she has lost some friends during her battle with cancer who didn’t know how to treat her, but even more friends have supported her.
“I think all of this has made me a stronger person,” Jasper said. “I think the wigs really help you through that time, especially when you’re not comfortable with yourself and the way you look.”
Today, Jasper is cancer-free and excited to begin her penultimate year at Dubuque Senior.
An event on Thursday aims to help more children and young adults like Jasper.
Although donation spots at White Loft Hair Salon in Peosta are booked for the event, the salon said those interested in donating can do so on another day.
Jasper is excited to hear about Thursday’s hair drive and is grateful for the community’s support.
“It really fills me with awe that there are people out there who care about you, support you and are willing to give up their hair for you,” Jasper said.
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