Holly Christensen
Crafting Yarn Wigs for Children Battling Cancer
BYU alumna Holly W. Christensen (BS ’06) smiled wonderfully as assembling the last yarn wig finished, and The Magic Yarn Project’s largest-ever wig workshop ended. “No one leaves these workshops without a smile on their face or without feeling like their simple act of love will make the world a better place,” says Christensen, a co-founder of The Magic Yarn Project.
The nonprofit organization began in 2015 when Christensen, a resident of Palmer, Alaska, discovered that the daughter of her BYU nursing classmate Rachel Gammon Mecham (BS ’06) had lymphoma. Shortly before that, she prayed for more comfort, peace, joy, and purpose (despite having three young children, a happy marriage, and a great career). Those early-morning prayers gave insight for her to find others to serve.
“As an oncology nurse, I have worked at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston—perhaps the nation’s preeminent hospital for cancer treatment,” she says. “I’ve seen the worst of the worst. And I have been drawn to people suffering in that way ever since. One of the things I learned in this situation is that I cannot do everything, but I can do something.”
For Christensen, doing something meant crafting a yarn princess-style wig for the girl to wear. Then, watching her put on the wig and twirl around in a pink dress with a carefree smile, Christensen decided to make more wigs. Three years later, The Magic Yarn Project has been featured on TV programs (ABC News, Today, CNN), national print and online publications (Huffington Post, People magazine), and dozens of healthcare-related bulletins. The organization has given joy to more than 9,300 children battling cancer in 42 countries. Each child has received a handmade princess or pirate yarn wig at no cost, made by a volunteer at one of the many wig workshops nationwide.
Because of the foundation’s success, Christensen has had to cut back her hours as a nurse. However, the same kindness and empathy she shows her patients goes into every wig she crafts and workshop she hosts.
“I certainly never intended this cause to become such a huge part of my life and for my family and me to sacrifice so much for it, but it is worth it,” says Christensen. “Not only are we serving these children and their families by bringing them joy, but we are bringing happiness into the lives of so many volunteers with the opportunity to create a little magic for children worldwide who are going through so much.”