'Day of Beauty and Glamor': Uplifting women with wigs and confidence

It was news Valarie Palmer didn’t expect as the new year began, a stage two breast cancer diagnosis.

“It just floored me. I’d been a relatively healthy person all my life, so I was in shock,” Palmer said.

Following her diagnosis in January 2025, Valarie started her treatment plan, going through rounds of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and radiation.

“It’s been tough to say the least,” she said. “Then when I started to lose my hair, it was disheartening.”

Throughout her fight, Valarie hasn’t been alone, she’s had the love and support of her mother, Annie Stovall, a four-time breast cancer survivor.

“To see my daughter experience the same thing I did is tough,” said Stovall. “But it made her feel good knowing that hey mom is still here, she survived all of this.”

Both of their journeys brought them to AdventHealth Eden Spa and Boutique’s “Day of Beauty and Glamour” event. The event is designed to help women feel supported and regain a sense of identity beyond their illness. During the two-day event, women experiencing medical-related hair loss received two free wigs provided by E-Beauty, makeovers by students from Paul Mitchell and a photo shoot courtesy of Baby Place Photography.

“When they get a wig, they stand up proud, they're glowing on the inside, and they're ready to face the world in whatever fight they have in front of them,” said A’Njanene Moitt, senior operations manager at AdventHealth’s Eden Spa and Boutique. “They don't want to be labeled by their disease. They’re a person and being able to give them this little bit of courage and confidence is all part of the whole-person care we provide.”

For Valarie and Annie, the event not only gave them courage and confidence but a moment to feel like themselves again.

“Getting to try on all the different wigs has been exciting,” said Palmer. “It’s been really good to feel [hair] on my head again and I’m so happy I was able to come here with my best friend.”

AdentHealth’s Eden Spa and Boutique provide services for anyone experiencing medical-related hair loss year-round. You can find a list of all the locations and services here.