HEALTH | 2010-05-27
Being diagnosed with cancer remains the number one health concern among Americans. While significant progress has been made against this disease, unfortunately each year thousands of people across the United States hear the words, “You have cancer.”The American Cancer Society has a free program for women who are currently receiving cancer treatment. The Look Good Feel Better program helps all women who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Its purpose is simple - to help women look good and feel better about themselves.
Volunteer beauty professionals lead small groups, usually about six to 10 women, through practical, hands-on experience. Women learn about makeup, skin care, nail care, and ways to deal with hair loss by using wigs, turbans, and scarves. Each woman gets a free makeup kit valued between $250-$300 to use during and after the workshop.
“Hundreds of women from this area have attended one of the sessions that are held regularly in medical centers or hospitals,” said Sarah Wells, regional health promotions director of the northeast and north regions of the American Cancer Society. “You can see by their actions how nervous and uncertain they are about the program when it starts. However, by the end of the session every one of them has gained positive self-esteem and is much more confident on how to improve her appearance. Knowing the program was able to help somebody who is going down a bumpy road is certainly satisfying.”
The Look Good Feel Better program was founded and developed in 1989 by the Personal Care Products Council. Back then it was called the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, or CTFA, a charitable organization. The program is also endorsed by the American Cancer Society and the Professional Beauty Association or PBA (formerly the National Cosmetology Association), a national organization that represents hairstylists, wig experts, estheticians, makeup artists, and other professionals in the cosmetic industry.
All cosmetology volunteers who lead the program attend a four-hour certification class to become a Look Good Feel Better facilitator.
Look Good Feel Better is salon and product neutral. That means volunteer facilitators do not promote any salon, cosmetic product line, or manufacturer. All cosmetics used in the group program are donated.
Enrollment for each class is limited and reservations must be made. For more information, or to find out when the next session is held in the area, call the American Cancer Society toll free at 888-227-6446.
The mission of the American Cancer Society is to save lives by helping people stay well, get well, find cures, and fight back.