Charity project "SINTIJA''

MELLA.lv has launched a charity project: “We create makeovers for women — pampering them, supporting them, and embracing them so they can feel truly delighted, inspired, and happy.”

MAKEOVERS BY MELLA.LV ARE CREATED TOGETHER WITH FANTASTIC PARTNERS

Hair stylist with golden hands — Kristīne Laizāne @hairstylesbychristine
Dress paradise — KLERR.LV salon (Special thanks to Monta Nagliņa)

WHY IS THE CHARITY PROJECT CALLED “SINTIJA”?

Guna, the owner of the hair-extension center MELLA.lv, has a very personal story behind this name. In 2022, Guna’s friend Sintija lost her battle with cancer. Back in 2007, Sintija wanted to have African braids, so Guna enrolled in African braid and hair-extension courses. After completing them, she began doing hair extensions in her free time alongside studying at two universities. Naturally, Guna braided Sintija’s hair. If not for Sintija, MELLA.lv might never have existed. Sintija’s illness was discovered late, and she kept it to herself, not telling anyone.

After Sintija passed away, Guna learned that her friend had bought an expensive synthetic wig, which she never wore. Following this upsetting experience, Guna began researching everything about natural-hair wigs — their manufacturing process and quality — and discovered that such wigs are extremely expensive, often costing 3000–4000 EUR. She spent a huge amount of time finding the best quality–price balance so that MELLA.lv could donate natural-hair wigs to women battling cancer, and also make them available for purchase in the MELLA.lv salon.

The project had been in development since 2023. For more than six months, wig design and manufacturing took place at the True Hair factory, as producing premium-quality wigs requires special technologies and expertise. MELLA.lv aims to make 10 women per year happier by gifting them PREMIUM natural-hair wigs worth 715 EUR each.

The goal of the project is to give women unforgettable makeovers and a day full of pampering and positive emotions. Through this project, we want to remind women of true life values — to pause, dedicate time to themselves and their well-being, and attend regular health check-ups.

We invite all interested women to follow us on social media, where we will announce the next project.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THE WORLD A MORE BEAUTIFUL PLACE!

CHARITY PROJECT “SINTIJA” — SPRING 2025

In the Spring 2025 project, the first five women participated. We created for them an unforgettable day filled with joy, positivity, and warm emotions! The day began with feminine conversations and getting to know each other. Then we went to KLERR.lv to choose the stunning dresses. After that, we returned to the MELLA.lv salon, where Kristīne Laizāne (make-up and hair styling) transformed the women into Goddesses — beautiful, smiling, and radiant!
Throughout the day, participants were treated to snacks, lunch, and drinks.
At the end of the day, we gifted each participant flowers, a present from MELLA.lv, and a 100 EUR gift card from KLERR.lv. With this gift card, they could purchase either the dress they were wearing or choose a different outfit.

PARTICIPANTS

LINDA

A mother of two and a devoted wife. In September 2023, Linda was diagnosed with stage III cervical cancer. Despite her diagnosis, she remains joyful and determined to beat the illness. As Linda says:
“For me, this is a huge challenge — stepping out of my comfort zone, being filmed and photographed, and going public. Even my family has never seen me without a headscarf.”

Linda embraced this beautiful day and the emotions it brought. She emphasized that a large part of women’s confidence lies in their hair. MELLA.lv is deeply grateful to Linda for allowing us to share her story and inspire other women to remember the true values of life and attend regular health check-ups.

With deep sorrow, we announce that on 20.09.2025, Linda passed away, losing her battle with cancer.

LĀSMA

A mother of three sons and one daughter, and a loving wife. In November 2024, Lāsma felt a lump in her breast — it turned out to be hereditary triple-negative breast cancer, stage II. Initially, she was scheduled for 8 rounds of chemotherapy, followed by 2 or 3 surgeries to remove both breasts and ovaries.
After the diagnosis, she struggled with fear, despair, and tears, but soon gathered her strength and began her treatment journey. The day after her MELLA.lv makeover, she went to her next chemotherapy session. The previous week she had undergone USG, mammography, and MRI. When she came for chemo, she received her test results — THE TUMOR WAS GONE, and chemotherapy was cancelled. This is a tremendous celebration for all of us and for her family. Miracles happen!

Lāsma urges all women to get checked and visit a gynecologist at least once a year.

INESE

A mother of two. Her cancer journey began in August 2024, when she was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer. She became suspicious after feeling overly full from small meals. After extensive testing, doctors discovered metastases in the abdominal lining.
Doctors told her the cancer was incurable and she had, at most, one year left. Inese refused to accept this and began treatment with determination. Initially, doctors doubted chemotherapy would help. After several rounds, a CT scan showed that the disease was not only halted but had shrunk.
Inese is confident she will beat this illness and live a full, happy life. She has always dreamed of long, thick hair, and we are grateful we were able to make this dream come true.

She emphasizes the importance of regular health check-ups for everyone.

LĪGA

A beautiful 37-year-old woman who was shocked to learn her diagnosis — stage II breast cancer — in August 2024. She had no symptoms other than a small lump, which she optimistically believed was harmless. Chemotherapy ended in December, and she has just completed radiation therapy. Although the most intensive treatment stage is over, now begins “life after.”
This new chapter is filled with uncertainty and anxiety. Līga does not want to live defined by her diagnosis, so she wants to embrace life and use every opportunity. At first, she was hesitant about joining the project, not wanting to go public, but later recognized how important it is to talk about this topic to raise awareness.

Līga is grateful to Kristīne Laizāne, Guna, and the MELLA team for the makeover.

SVETLANA

At 60, Svetlana has raised 3 children and 6 grandchildren. She lived a peaceful and happy life with her husband until he passed away suddenly. To ease the grief, her family decided she should move abroad to live with her daughter. Everything was fine until November 2024, when Svetlana discovered a lump in her breast.
She returned to Latvia for tests, which revealed — stage III breast cancer. In January she was informed that the disease was progressing. A treatment plan was set, including chemotherapy, hoping it would allow the doctors to remove affected lymph nodes and the breast.

The diagnosis brought heavy emotional struggles, but with time she accepted it and started treatment, hoping for recovery and a peaceful life. After her first chemotherapy session, she nearly gave up — the side effects and pain were severe, and she couldn't even hold a small coffee cup. Then came hair loss, causing more distress.
Svetlana continues her treatment and remains mentally strong. She was signed up for the project by her daughter, who wanted to bring joy to her mother. Svetlana’s daughter is deeply grateful to everyone involved in the project and stresses the importance of speaking openly about cancer.