I’ve watched friends and relatives battle various forms of cancer and seen the toll that fight takes on their bodies, hearts and minds. I’ve seen them accept the changes in their bodies, including losing hair and changing shape, as part of what they need to go through to get better, and it can be heartbreaking at times.
I was touched when the Look Good Feel Better volunteer spoke at last week’s Blogger’s Brunch about how she helps women through the organisation’s workshops. She became a volunteer nine years ago after seeing information about the organisation by chance. It was inspiring to hear her speak about the difference the workshops can make to women who are feeling down and unfeminine after their cancer treatment, but upsetting to discover she also spoke from personal experience – both her adult children are currently fighting cancer.
She told a story about how she attended a workshop with her daughter and explained that her daughter said she felt people looked at her when she went to the supermarket. The ‘wig lady’ from that workshop gave her daughter a blue wig and on the way home from the workshop mother and daughter duo stopped at the supermarket.
“No one looked at her and she felt fantastic!” she beamed.
“We give hints and ideas on make up and help the women try wigs and scarves and they get a big bag of make up from the cosmetic industry.
“I still feel I’m making a difference in my own small way. If you look good, you will definitely feel better,” she said.
Look Good Feel Better is currently looking for new volunteers who have knowledge of make up application or wigs.
About Look Good Feel Better
Look Good Feel Better is a free community service program dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance-related side effects that can be caused by cancer treatment. The Look Good Feel Better program is managed by the Cancer Patients Foundation’s small team of employees, with the fantastic support of 1,700 trained and certified cosmetic, beauty and hairdressing professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to help deliver workshops across Australia. A key feature of the program is its brand/product neutrality: for example, volunteers and program participants are not permitted to promote any cosmetic product line or manufacturer at any time during a workshop. http://lgfb.org.au.
Kids Business Communications hosts the Blogger’s Brunch series of events where bloggers and brands meet and mingle. These events also raise awareness and funds for different charities. For more information www.kidsbusiness.com.au
