RMC hosts program to help cancer patients

The Cancer Care Center at Bradford Regional Medical Center has initiated the "Look Good, Feel Better" program to raise self-esteem for those undergoing chemotherapy.

The first supportive session, aimed at providing cosmetology tips and assistance for cancer patients, was held Wednesday in the new oncology department at BRMC.

"It's not only makeup and hair, but sharing the emotional experiences," said social worker Terri Stauffer.

According to the program's planners, it is the first group session of its kind for the Bradford area. The goal is to make the meetings a monthly happening, Stauffer explained.

The American Cancer Society is playing a big part in "Look Good, Feel Better." The National Cosmetology Association is also involved, as well as the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association.

"This program is where your donor dollars to the ACS go," said Marie Costello, community and volunteer involvement specialist at ACS. She added that the service is free to patients.

The program is needed because "when you're going through cancer, you don't look so hot," Costello said. Dry skin and the loss of hair, eyelashes and eyebrows are the norm for patients.

The project is focusing on people recently diagnosed with the disease.

"I think the experience of sharing with other people going through the same thing is priceless," Costello said.

One local women described the meeting process and gave positive reviews.

"There was a group of four of us last evening," said breast cancer patient Dorie Meabon.

"There were a variety of women. They all had different types of cancer."

The session starts with each patient receiving a "Look Good, Feel Better" bag, full of various types of cosmetic products worth between $200 and $250 per kit, according to Costello.

"The makeup bag was absolutely fabulous," Meabon said. "They had Mary Kay, they had Chanel stuff, lip liner, eye shadow, eyebrow pencils, lipstick" and other products.

In addition to receiving the makeup kit, skin care education was provided. Then, the group discussed different methods for tying scarves and making turbans, as well as how to select a wig.

Liz Pearson is one licensed cosmetologist volunteering her time and expertise to the patients to improve their looks.

"The best part of this work is being able to make people feel good about themselves," she said.

"I think the fact that there's a program where I can do this is great."

Volunteers like Pearson giving their time and the community donating goods, such as scarves and turbans, will contribute to the program's success, according to Costello.

Meabon pointed out the one-on-one feel and the ability to speak out as other important benefits of the meetings.

"Basically, it was a very comfortable atmosphere because it was such a small group of people," she said.

The meeting, Meabon added, had nice timing since the Relay For Life event, sponsored by the ACS, begins today in Bradford.

"You hear about McKean County and cancer a lot," she said. "This is wonderful that we have something like this so close to our area."

Those looking for assistance from the program must be registered as a cancer patient with the ACS. They do not need to be patients of BRMC, according to Costello.

To find out more about "Look Good, Feel Good," visit www.cancer.org, call toll-free at 1-800-ACS-2345 or call the ACS's local office.