Beauty professionals sought to help women dealing with cancer treatment side effects

Press release from the American Cancer Society:

Next Look Good Feel Better certification class for beauty professionals offered October 20 in Asheville

Cancer treatment saves lives. But, it isn’t easy. Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength — but it doesn’t have to take away her self-confidence. Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to women who are actively being treated for cancer, helping them manage the physical side effects of treatment such as skin changes and hair loss. Trained cosmetologists address make-up techniques, skin and nail care, and tips for using head scarves and other accessories. The program is provided through a partnership of the American Cancer Society, the Personal Care Products Council Foundation and the Professional Beauty Association.

This year, LGFB is celebrating 25 years of helping women. Certified cosmetologist Linda Whitehurst, who splits her time between Asheville and Charlotte, N.C., has been volunteering with the program nearly as long as it has been in existence. “In 1989, I saw an ad in a national cosmetology magazine and thought it was something I could do,” she said. “I signed up for the training and soon began providing workshops as a volunteer.”

Today, Whitehurst’s volunteerism includes being a national advisor with the program as well as teaching other North Carolina beauty professionals to provide LGFB workshops. Whitehurst said volunteers need to be good communicators and love people. “The workshops are fun and uplifting,” she said. “We don’t talk about their treatment or counsel them in any way. We teach them about applying different products and using accessories to help address challenges they are facing. We have fun and we see the women gain confidence and hope. They leave with smiles on their faces.”

Whitehurst will be training Asheville area cosmetologists and estheticians who want to begin volunteering as LGFB facilitators from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 20, 2014, at the American Cancer Society office at 120 Executive Park in Asheville. She recommends that those considering volunteering visit lookgoodfeelbetter.org and view a short video of what the workshops are like. She said the program needs volunteers who want to be involved on a long-term basis. For more information and to register for the training, contact Amina Tillett at 704-553-5351 or amina.tillett@cancer. org.

Women currently undergoing cancer treatment who would like to attend a LGFB workshop should call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 for information and to register as a participant.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
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