Published: May 07, 2009 10:18 am      

‘Look Good, Feel Better’

Program helps cancer patients cope during treatments

Ada — For cancer patients facing the appearance-changing side-effects of treatment, self image can often be a daunting obstacle.

Fortunately, there’s a solution to this problem: Look Good, Feel Better.

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Look Good, Feel Better is a program that provides cosmetics and salon-style care free of charge to cancer patients who are currently going through treatment.

“It’s just a great program. It allows them to come and spend some time on themselves,” Maelisa Hunter of Renaissance Salon said. “The key ingredient to the Look Good, Feel Better sessions is that they can spend time with somebody else who has what they have.”

Hunter, her apprentice Jordana Brooks and esthetician Shawna McCarty, hold these bonding sessions.

Companionship and relating to others is an aspect of life that many take for granted. With drastic appearance changes, it can often be a very frightening proposition just to go out in public.

“It was designed basically to make them feel better but also to talk to somebody that they didn’t know before about the same things that they’re dealing with,” Hunter said.

Hunter became involved with the program after her father passed away from cancer.

“It’s been so special to my heart. My dad died from cancer three years ago and I think I get more out of it than I put into it,” Hunter said. “It’s so rewarding and fulfilling.”

After learning they have cancer, it’s certainly no small task for patients to accept the changes their bodies are going through. It’s even harder to resolve to do something about it.

“Their skin changes. It can dry out,” Hunter said. “You wouldn’t think that getting a little bit of make up and just spending some time with a lady means so much but when your eye lashes start falling out and your eyebrows start falling out, it just makes all the difference in the world.”

Look Good, Feel Better is just one of the many programs the American Cancer Society supports with help from money raised by Relay for Life. It is a salon and brand neutral program. Ada’s branch is currently held in a room at Lillian's Bridal.