“Cora Siders said she was waiting for an angel to take over her role as coordinator of Look Good, Feel Better, a program of the American Cancer Society, through which she has offered wigs, hats and turbans to people suffering the hair-loss associated with cancer treatments. The angel was, at the same time, trying to start a similar program, not knowing that one already existed. Word of mouth eventually got the two together. Kathy Lam, the angel, is a licensed cosmetologist who owns the Windy Bay Salon in Oak Harbor. She has been volunteering her time to Locks of Love, a not-for-profit organization that gathers donations of human hair. Using clippings from consenting people during haircutting, the organization manufactures wigs for children that have lost their hair due to treatment for medical conditions.Lam is the only hair stylist in the state who volunteers for Locks of Love. People have come from all over the state to donate their hair through Lam. Now Lam is planning to take a certification class through the American Cancer Society on March 5, to take over the role of coordinator of Look Good, Feel Better, a post held by Siders for more than a decade.Siders is retiring. She treasures the memories and the friendships she has made over the years. Lam is just beginning, and she is looking forward to branching out to help people. I don’t want to stop with just the wigs with Look Good, Feel Better, Lam explained. It is a full twelve-step program, she said.Rachel Kirk, American Cancer Society’s Community Cancer Control Manager for Quality of Life, stated that the addition of Lam will enhance the program on the Island. Since Lam is licensed, she will be able to provide the hands-on cosmetology services to help patients with skin care and make-overs in addition to the hats, turbans and wigs.I can’t explain how good it makes me feel, to help people, Lam said. She is excited and a bit anxious about her new endeavor.Lam sees a link between her volunteer work for Locks of Love and what she will do for Look Good, Feel Better. In both instances, she said it’s something she can do to help, that fits in with her talents and abilities.While Lam only recently began to formally volunteer her time to established not-for-profit entities, being involved with Locks of Love since last September, she has maintained a spirit of giving throughout her professional life. As a hair stylist, she has recognized a need and has delivered, providing free services to people with physical and mental illnesses, the economically disadvantaged, and battered women.My first charitable act was when a woman called me and said that she had been bed-ridden for a year and had a huge knot in her hair, Lam said. The woman needed help getting her hair back in shape, and no other stylist would touch it. Lam readily agreed and spent three hours with the woman, combing and clipping through the knot, and finishing up with an attractive short haircut. She and I are close friends today, Lam said.Lam, may be reached at the Windy Bay Salon or through the American Cancer Society. In addition, she is listed as a participating hair stylist on the Locks of Love Web site at www.locksoflove.org.The cycle of giving continues. While Lam is gearing up for her new volunteer role, Cora Siders and her husband, Vic, are planning their retirement.The American Cancer Society is very grateful to Cora for all the hard work and dedication she has provided over the past 12 years, Kirk said. She kept the program alive, on Whidbey Island.Two women, one goal: Making life a little bit better for others in time of need. “