Friends with cancer share joy with special hats

Ridgefield — Two friends and cancer patients donated more than 100 stylish hats to others undergoing chemotherapy in an effort to spread joy to those going through the difficult process. Jennifer Conkey of Ridgefield and Renee Dieffenderfer of Gresham, Ore., met in January 2012 when working at the Audigy Group in Vancouver. Later that year, they were both diagnosed with cancer, Conkey with breast cancer and Dieffenderfer with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. They supported each other through chemotherapy and in 2013 decided to gather more than 100 hats for others who had lost their hair. Conkey said in an email that having a great hat helped her cope with the treatment. Conkey said she is in full remission and Dieffenderfer is expected to complete her radiation therapy this month.