Pamela Powers knows just how much cancer can steal.
"It's been a whirlwind of emotions," she said. "It changes your life entirely, your dynamic with the family. It can be a very isolating experience because you're going through so many new things you didn't know that people with cancer go through."
In 2017, the day after Christmas, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Surgery and chemotherapy would soon follow, taking with it a big piece of her identity.
"You lose your hair, you lose your eyebrows, your eyelashes, you lose the tint to your face," she said. "It's very difficult and very hard on you."
That's where volunteer Judy Poulson and the Sky Ridge Cancer Center come in. Poulson began volunteering for Relay for Life years ago after her own mother died from cancer. And then, she had to face her own battle.
"I was diagnosed with cancer," she said. "I had Cutaneous Melanoma. All of the volunteers that work here are cancer survivors."
Today, she helps patients like Powers navigate the uncertain world of their diagnosis by providing them with information about support groups, treatments and help with wig and bra fittings.
"We've been there, done that, and we know what they're going through," Poulson said.
And she does it with both compassion and empathy.
"Her kindness just comes through and you feel welcome into the space immediately," Powers said.
Poulson helped fit Powers with a wig.
"I left with my wig on and I felt like I can actually do this — I can actually go back to the office and feel good about myself," Powers said.
Powers is now a self-proclaimed wig addict. And even better, she's in remission.
"When we can put a wig on somebody and they look at themselves and they think, 'Wow, that's pretty, I'm pretty,'" she said. "That's what we want."
Molly Hendrickson anchors Denver7 in the mornings from 4:30-7 a.m. She also features a different 7Everyday Hero each week on Denver7. Follow Molly on Facebook here and Twitter here. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.
