Marta Vasquez was devastated when she lost her hair during treatments for cancer.

But on a recent Saturday morning, Marta, 61, happily covered her bald head with a bonnet as she left her home in Fort Lupton, Colorado and drove to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora.

It’s the same place where Marta had to endure five rounds of chemotherapy to fight her cancer after doctors discovered it in July.

On this visit to the hospital, however, rather than going through a chemotherapy treatment, Marta enjoyed some pampering and received a free wig that would make her feel like herself again.

Accompanied by her two daughters, Marta got to attend a free event for cancer survivors. A nonprofit called Nadie Lucha Sola, which means “No One Fights Alone,” hosted the event on Oct. 10 in an auditorium at University of Colorado Hospital.

Along with wigs, volunteers and staff members provided sessions with professional hair and makeup artists and resources in both Spanish and English.

During the event, Marta selected a perfect wig: one in a natural brown color, just like the hair she had lost.

“It feels so good to see myself with hair again,” Marta said, visibly moved. “I cover my head not because I’m ashamed of being bald, but because I want to avoid other people’s stares.”

Marta learned she had angiosarcoma — a rare cancer of the blood vessels — seven months after she began experiencing symptoms. Her symptoms included itching, swelling and discharge around her left eardrum, along with purplish discoloration of the skin in the affected area. This type of cancer most commonly affects the skin.

Marta has three adult children: two daughters and a son. Along with spending time with her daughters during the Nadie Lucha Sola event, she also enjoyed connecting with other cancer survivors.

“I felt supported by so many people I didn’t even know. I used to never leave my house, but now I feel supported, and I feel happy,” Marta said. The support of her husband, daughter-in-law and children has been essential to her throughout this journey.

Community volunteers supporting cancer patients

Community volunteers, partners and UCHealth’s medical interpreters were thrilled to support cancer survivors at the event.

‘‘This year’s Nadie Lucha Sola event was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to support women facing cancer,” said Ana Fauvet, a UCHealth Spanish interpreter, and founder and president of Nadie Lucha Sola.

“We welcomed 31 women who are undergoing cancer treatments, distributed 30 wigs and had the support of more than 50 incredible volunteers who helped make the day possible,’’ Fauvet said.

Like Marta, many cancer survivors loved connecting with others who are going through similar challenges. That was one of Fauvet’s goals in creating Nadie Lucha Sola.

‘‘We started this organization to create a community where women feel seen, supported and understood, and where the friendships and connections made during the event continue long after the day is over,” Fauvet said. “If even one woman left knowing she has someone to call on a difficult day, then we’ve accomplished something truly meaningful.”

Along with the hair and makeup sessions, cancer survivors could visit experts at 10 community resource booths.

Support for cancer patients, no matter where they receive their care

Claudia Carrillo, 53, lives in Aurora, Colorado. She receives care for breast cancer at a different hospital and attended the event along with her 12-year-old son.

Claudia learned about the event through her medical providers, who shared a flyer with her.

Just days earlier, she received her first chemotherapy treatment.

During the Nadie Lucha Sola event, Claudia realized she was beginning to lose her hair. Seeing the first strands of hair coming off in her hands brought Claudia to tears, but she was in the perfect place to seek help.

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis has been very difficult for me. I was diagnosed in July. I didn’t have any symptoms,” Claudia said.

She learned about her cancer relatively early thanks to a routine mammogram.

Afterwards, doctors recommended a biopsy and diagnosed her with Stage 2 breast cancer. She underwent surgery to remove a lymph node from her underarm and has begun chemotherapy treatments. Her initial plan calls for four chemotherapy sessions and 25 radiation treatments.

“I came to the event to get a free haircut, and I also wanted to get a wig,” Claudia said.

Samuel De La Rosa Mata, a Denver hairstylist who volunteered at the event, gave Claudia a haircut. He also invited his colleague, Monica Najera, to join him in supporting women in the community who are facing cancer.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be here supporting these women in their fight against cancer. As the organization’s name says, No One Fights Alone. I’m very happy to be part of this,” Samuel said.

Bringing community volunteers together to support women with cancer is at the heart of the mission shared by Nadie Lucha Sola and UCHealth.

“Sometimes we feel like we’re alone and that no one understands what we’re going through. Our cancer journey can be an exhausting process for our families,” Claudia said. “Events like this help us feel supported and enable connections among us, with other women who understand what we are going through.”

Supporting patients who speak multiple languages

The event welcomed cancer patients with different cultural backgrounds.

‘‘We were also thrilled to welcome women from diverse backgrounds, including participants who spoke English, Spanish, Russian and German,’’ Fauvet said.

UCHealth fosters a culture of respect to ensure that every patient feels supported. And interpreters provide free services to any patients who don’t speak English and need help during medical visits.

Many of Fauvet’s fellow interpreters attended the Nadie Lucha Sola event to support patients for whom English is not their first language.

“This event brings together organizations and healthcare teams from both UCHealth and the broader community to connect women facing cancer with the services, resources, and support available to them,’’ said Scott Suckow, UCHealth’s director of Language and Cultural Services.

“Our medical interpreters work at the intersection of patients and clinicians, helping guide people through complex health care journeys. Cancer care is one of the primary areas we support. We are deeply integrated into cancer clinics and units across UCHealth. Supporting an event like this is a natural extension of the work we do,” Suckow said.

‘Wearing a wig, I feel like myself again’

Gladyz García, 47, attended the event for the second time. She is a patient at the UCHealth Cancer Care Center.

She lost her hair as a side effect of chemotherapy for breast cancer last year.

“I cried when I lost my hair. One of the things I’ve always loved most about myself is my hair. I adore my hair. I didn’t want to socialize, and I didn’t want to leave my room. It was very hard,’’ Gladyz said.

Gladyz struggled emotionally with hair loss. “Some people showed me empathy, but mostly, I faced rejection,” she said.

Over time, she learned to cope.

‘‘I prayed to God to help me get through this. The side effects of chemotherapy are very intense. I underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy. Eventually, I found the strength to move forward. I realized I needed to stay positive and keep going through this process,” she said.

Gladyz is the mother of four children, ages 25, 24, 14, and 7. The diagnosis deeply affected her entire family.

Her cancer began in her right breast and later spread to her liver, pancreas, lymph nodes, and spine.

“It affected all of my children deeply. It was very difficult for them,” Gladyz said.

‘‘I had seen other people lose their hair, but I never thought it would happen to me. I remember thinking, ‘God, what am I going to do without my hair?’ You lose it so quickly, yet it takes so long to grow back,’’ Gladyz said.

During the event, she received a wig and a makeup session.

“Having a wig helps. Chemotherapy changes your appearance, and when I wear a wig, I feel like myself again. I feel more confident, more beautiful, and happier. It gives me a sense of confidence.”

Gladyz is diligent about attending her medical appointments and feels fortunate to have the opportunity to continue fighting cancer.

“I prayed to God for the chance to stay in this world because my children still need their mother,” Gladyz said. “I come to these events because it’s important to support one another.”

United by friendship in their fight against cancer

Lori Curtis and Kari Simmons are both 60 and traveled from Colorado Springs to attend the event. Friends for the past five years, they share more than a close bond. They are also united by a common experience: living with cancer.

Kari learned about the event at the UCHealth Outpatient Infusion Clinic at the Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion and invited her friend Lori to join her.

Both women were attending the event for the first time.

“I came to see if I could find a wig that fits and get some makeup tips,” Lori said.

Lori was diagnosed with low grade ovarian cancer in August 2025. She meets with her oncology team once a month and gets regular blood work to monitor her condition. She describes her condition as a rare cancer that is chemotherapy resistant.

“I take two pills once a day, and every four weeks I receive injections to keep my estrogen levels low,” Lori said. “The side effects include very thin hair, cramping, and dry skin.”

For Lori, the Nadie Lucha Sola events provide essential support.

“The goal of this event is to help us feel good about ourselves,” Lori said. “Cancer is hard to go through, and the side effects can be devastating. Losing your hair is difficult. Being able to feel normal again means a lot.”

Kari wore a cap to cover areas where she has experienced hair loss during her cancer treatments.

Just days before the event, Kari completed her final chemotherapy session and soon will begin immunotherapy.

Seventeen years earlier, Kari had also faced breast cancer.

Kari was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in March 2026 and underwent surgery. In May, she learned that the cancer had spread to her liver. She completed eight rounds of chemotherapy, with her final treatment on Oct. 15, which she celebrated by ringing the bell. At the end of October, Kari will begin immunotherapy treatments, which are expected to continue for one to two years.

Beyond the wigs, makeup sessions, and resources, both women said the event offered something equally important: connections.

“It’s huge to have someone who understands what you’re going through and isn’t afraid to talk about cancer,” Lori said. “Our husbands and families are incredibly supportive, but there are times when we feel frustrated, and we don´t want our families to worry, so we turn to each other.”

Their friendship has become an important source of strength as they navigate their cancer journeys together. They encourage other women facing cancer not to go through it alone.

“Make sure you reach out to your people and remember that you are supported,” Kari said. “Having support improves your overall well-being and helps you feel so much better.”