ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (February 16, 2018)— In May 2017, a suit was filed against Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc. for trademark infringement by the national organization Wigs for Kids, Inc, based in Ohio. A settlement conference was held on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at the Theodore Levin Courthouse in Detroit, MI where the two non-profit organizations had the opportunity to address their concerns and, ultimately, bring the matter to an amicable resolution which allows both to continue to serve children in need.
“We are pleased that this lawsuit could be resolved and that both organizations can continue on with their missions of serving children,” said Maggie Varney, Founder & CEO of Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc, a local grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides wigs & support services (classes, social activities, field trips and counseling) to Michigan children experiencing hair loss as a result of cancer treatment, alopecia, trichotillomania, burns and other disorders. Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc. is connected with all 8 hospitals throughout Michigan that service pediatric oncology. The organization is also registered with Phoenix Burn Society and U of M Burn Center. “Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc has over 600 salons, cosmetology schools and cosmetology volunteers supporting our program by providing hair so we can make wigs for these children,” Maggie stated.
Under the settlement agreement, the program will continue to be available to children throughout the state of Michigan between the ages of 3 and 18 at no charge; it will be known as Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan. The name change will make it easier for families, donors and others to distinguish between the two organizations – a shared goal of both non-profits.
Wigs For Kids, Inc is also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Ohio, that has built up a national network of hair salons, donors and health professionals over the last 30 years. Jeffrey Paul is its Founder and Executive Director: “We are grateful for a resolution ensuring that children in need of hair replacement will continue to receive the support they deserve, no matter where they live. Generous donors can continue to trust the process and know that their donation of hair or money will end up in the right place. Wigs for Kids will continue to work confidently with our network of health professionals, salons and donors across the United States to help children feel normal again—with a beautiful head of hair and self-esteem intact—no matter where they live or when they need us.”
The adoption of a new name by the Michigan-based organization will take place over a period of several months. For current information about each, see https://www.wigsforkids.org and http://www.wigs4kids.org.
