Missys' Boutique

Changing the look of cancer

For many cancer patients and survivors, changes in appearance caused by treatments or surgery can pose physical and emotional obstacles in their journey to recover and heal. Missys’ Boutique is an accredited appearance center dedicated to helping patients overcome those obstacles with dignity and style.

The boutique offers services and select products designed just for cancer patients and survivors – as well as a variety of retail merchandise for the general public.

Missys' Boutique is an inviting retail space with something for everyone.

Cancer-related services and products:

• A certified fitter and private room for breast prostheses, pocketed bra and postmastectomy garment selection and fitting
• A licensed cosmetologist and small salon for wig selection and fitting; head-shaving is also available

Retail merchandise:

1. Hats, turbans, scarves and other headwear
2. Cancer awareness merchandise
3. Lingerie and sleepwear
4. Skincare products
5. Jewelry and fashion accessories
6. Gifts, toys and greeting cards

Compassionate, experienced staff

Comments from patient satisfaction surveys have been overwhelmingly positive about the appearance center’s services, staff and atmosphere.

“Words cannot express how kind, compassionate and caring the staff has been to me, helping me through fittings for a wig and postmastectomy garments with great patience and humor. I have no idea where I would have gone for these services otherwise.”

“It’s so nice to visit the boutique during a day of chemotherapy; while there I can forget for a few moments that cancer is the center of my life.”

“Losing one’s hair, for a woman, is life-altering. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this and dealt with the total loss of my hair without the staff at Missys’.”

Health insurance may cover the cost of a wig, prosthesis or postmastectomy garments – with a doctor’s prescription. For details on coverage, contact your insurance provider before your appointment.

With the exception of the manager, Missys' Boutique is staffed by volunteers who work four-hour shifts. To learn more about volunteering, contact Paula Gangel, Volunteer Services, 913.588.6528 or pgangel@kumc.edu.

Medicare-approved facility

Missys’ Boutique is a Medicare-approved facility. Medicare patients are covered when they purchase breast prostheses and postmastectomy garments. A doctor’s prescription is required for coverage.

Patients in need

A Patients in Need Fund at Missys’ Boutique helps uninsured and underinsured patients receive the boutique’s cancer-related services and products at no charge. ArtBra KC is a major benefactor of this fund, contributing more than $95,000 in 2011. Application forms are available at the boutique. You do not have to be a patient of The University of Kansas Cancer Center to qualify. Contact Judy Newell, manager, 913.945.5800 or jnewell@kumc.edu, if you have questions.

Location and hours

Conveniently located on The University of Kansas Hospital’s Westwood Campus, Missys’ Boutique is in the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion at the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Belinder Avenue. Open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays, it is part of The University of Kansas Cancer Center. To contact the boutique, call 913.945.5800.

The Missys’ story

Missys’ Boutique is named in memory of Melissa Malter Newell and Ann Wilcox O’Neill, both affectionately known as Missy. These Kansas wives and mothers did not meet before they lost their lives to breast cancer in their early 30s. Yet their spirits are forever entwined in a legacy to bring hope, dignity and strength to cancer patients and survivors through this appearance center. Judy Newell, manager of Missys’ Boutique, was the mother-in-law of Missy Newell – and is a cancer survivor herself.  Linda Wilcox, mother of Missy O’Neill, is an active volunteer at the boutique. 

You can help

Financial contributions to the Patients in Need Fund at Missys’ Boutique help uninsured and underinsured patients benefit from the boutique’s cancer-related products and services. Gifts to the Missys’ Boutique Fund help ensure patients continue to have access to the essential services and products the appearance center provides. Contact Kate Migneron, Hospital Fund Development, 913.588.4497 or kmigneron@kumc.edu, to learn more about how your gift can make a difference.

Volunteer

Most of the friendly faces at Missys’ Boutique are volunteers who work four-hour shifts.  Additional volunteers are needed. To learn more, contact Paula Gangel, Volunteer Services, 913.588.6528 or pgangel@kumc.edu.