Helping Women With Cancer Feel Beautiful...

This posting is coming from a very personal connection that I unfortunately have to this horrible disease. For those of you who do not know me, you would not know that my mother has been living with breast cancer over the past three years.  She has gone through countless surgeries and treatments, and is currently stage IV with liver metastasis.  I also lost my father very suddenly to brain cancer in 2002.  I have seen the sadness that this disease brings to the victim and those who lose a loved one.

This posting is not about sadness, but about finding hope and restoring a sense of confidence for those who are dealing with a painful diagnosis.  In 2008, I wrote an article for the Merrick Life paper titled "The Heart of Beauty - Building Confidence With the Stroke of a Brush."   This article was based on my experiences as a makeup artist and daughter of a cancer patient, because I was made aware of the physical struggles that many women face when going through cancer treatments.  I vividly remember helping certain clients fill in their brows and apply false eyelashes.  These women left my chair feeling like themselves again, feeling confident!

An excerpt from the article...
"The beauty industry is often stereotyped as 'superficial' due to its focus on outward appearances.  It is important to realize and acknowledge the other side of the industry as well- the side that serves as a confidence builder, healer, and helper.  As a daughter of a breast cancer patient I have seen first hand the healing powers that beauty services can provide.  Certain organizations such as "Look Good, Feel Better," provide patients with the tools and skills to rebuild their confidence.  Makeup artists and hair stylists donate their time to teach cancer patients about eyebrow and eyelash enhancement, specific skincare regimes, wig/headpiece styling, and more..."

I recently got to thinking about this article because my mom and I had a conversation about how hard it is to feel beautiful while going through such intense treatments.  She brought up one of her favorite shows, TLC's "What Not to Wear."  Jokingly she said that they should put her and other women with cancer on the show, because they really need the hair, makeup, etc.  Then, a light bulb went on in my head. Why aren't we focusing more on these women?!?  "Look Good, Feel Better," is one organization that caters to cancer patients, but there are hundreds of shows based on makeovers, etc.  Why aren't these shows picking more women, like my mom, who are brave women fighting for their lives?  Shows like The Real Housewives show groups of women who are so overly consumed with monetary things, and these women have access to all the best hair/makeup products and services.  Yet there are women on Long Island and all over the world who are truly brave, disease-battling warriors, and they have access to almost nothing.  What is wrong with this picture?

Bottom line is, something needs to be done.  These women are strong, beautiful, and deserve the world. The makeup artist/PR girl in me is surely stirring up some ideas, so stay tuned!  For any women who would like to get involved with the organization or to find out more about services in our area, check out the website at lookgoodfeelbetter.org 
If anyone has any suggestions or knows of any other organizations like "Look Good, Feel Better," please leave your comments on this thread! <3