Songs for Hope Gives Cancer Patients a Reason to Sing
The Hair Peace Charities fundraiser will be held Sept. 19 at a private estate in Bell Acres.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAIR PEACE CHARITIES
Songs For Hope will echo throughout Bell Acres again this weekend.
On Saturday, Sept. 19, Hair Peace Charities, a nonprofit organization that supports women and girls going through cancer treatment, will hold the event at a private estate in Sewickley. Tickets are available online.
Starting at 5 p.m., guests are invited to set up lawn chairs, blankets and BYOB picnic baskets. Live performances from jazz-blues artist Jessica Lee and The Kate Hinote Trio, a Celtic pop blend, begin at 6 p.m. For an extra fee, there is a Back Stage Banquet dinner catered by North Side-based Bistro To Go that includes sliced filet, grilled chicken, salads, sides, desserts and beverages, including wine.
The concert raised $5,500 during its inaugural year in 2025.
In case of inclement weather, there is a large tent set up on the property’s beautiful hillside setting. Since 1988, Barbara Cooley Thaw and her family have called the place home. The breast cancer survivor is now battling a brain tumor, but it hasn’t dulled her passion for Hair Peace.
Her longtime friend, and Hair Peace founder, Bonny Diverm, will emcee the event. The local radio personality launched the charity in 2005 after her own cancer diagnosis and serves as its executive director. Because most insurance companies don’t cover the cost of wigs, the organization provides people going through cancer treatment in Western Pennsylvania with up to $250 to buy one.
During her breast cancer fight, Thaw was empowered by the nonprofit, and she continues to find comfort and support in the community it has created.
“I just have such respect for what Bonny does, how she does it and who she does it for,” Thaw says.
In July, Hair Peace held its 21st annual Recipe For Hope, a friendly cooking competition and fundraiser that pairs local chefs with local celebrities.
Diver says the goal of both events is to generate money, raise awareness and give community members fun ways to support people with cancer.
