Deciding what kind of makeup to wear might seem like a trivial decision for a person with cancer. But for many people, looking better means feeling better at a critical time in their lives.
At Durham Regional Hospital, women with cancer can take part in "Look Good -- Feel Better," a free class that teaches beauty techniques and helps women deal with changes caused by cancer treatment, such as hair loss and skin sensitivities.
Each patient receives a cosmetic kit worth $250, skin-care and make-up application lessons, nail care tips and techniques to deal with hair loss.
"As a cancer survivor myself, I know that cancer treatment is not just medical, it is also treating our spirit," says Hilda Southerland, the program facilitator at Durham Regional Hospital. "‘Look Good -- Feel Better' offers this in a safe setting surrounded by others who are facing or have faced many of these same issues."
The program began in 1987, when a physician asked Ed Kavanaugh, president of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, to arrange a makeover for one of his cancer patients. She was so depressed she would not leave her room. The makeover gave her an emotional boost and helped her deal with treatment.
Kavanaugh then teamed up with the American Cancer Society and the National Cosmetic Association to create the program, now offered in every state. Durham Regional has hosted the program since 2005. It is generally held the third Monday of each month.
"We are especially happy to offer this as an evening program," Southerland says. "Often, women have to take time during the workday for medical appointments or treatments making it difficult to ask for more time for something that may seem frivolous to those who have not faced cancer."