FINDING out you have cancer can be daunting and the added stress of the appearance-related side-effects of treatment can be demoralising. Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) is the only worldwide charity that focuses on the problems associated with the visible side-effects of cancer treatment such as hair loss and skin-related issues.
Through free workshops, run by a team of qualified beauty volunteers, LGFB is dedicated to improving the self-esteem, confidence and wellbeing of people undergoing cancer treatment, helping them literally look good and feel better.
When women arrive at the two-hour workshops, they receive a gift bag filled with a specially selected range of donated skincare and make-up products suited to their skin tone and are taken through a 12-step skincare and make-up regime. Particular care is taken with redefining the eye area when women have lost brows and lashes.
The workshops are also about having fun in an informal and relaxed environment, giving people a chance to meet others in a similar situation and giving a woman time to focus on herself – and not her illness.
Dolores McConville, from Portadown, attended a LGFB workshop in Belfast while undergoing treatment for breast cancer and found it extremely beneficial and "an uplifting experience". "There was a real mix of people – young, middle aged and elderly. It was nice to share experiences and enjoy a day of pampering," said the 56-year-old.
"It was a confidence boost because you are so down from undergoing your treatment, losing your hair and fighting for survival. It made you feel good in yourself and I went out later that evening with work colleagues."
To help expand their confidence-boosting workshops, LGFB have launched their own range of 12 professional-quality make-up brushes. The precision-cut brush heads have been handmade using super-soft taklon bristles; making them allergy free and suitable for sensitive skin. Up to 12 per cent from the sale of each brush and set will be donated to LGFB by brush creators, Bespoke Europe.
The LGFB range is available across Northern Ireland through Gordons Chemists and during the month of October, the independent pharmacy chain is offering customers 25 per cent off the range.
“I’m sure everyone in Northern Ireland, including many of our customers, know of someone who has been affected by cancer so giving LGFB the chance to help raise awareness of their work in this way is not only rewarding but also vital for their continuing success," John Clark, general manager at Gordons Chemists, said.
:: Free monthly LGFB workshops are held at Belfast City, Antrim and Altnagelvin hospitals. They are open to patients of any type of cancer within a year of them finishing treatment. For further information see www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk or call 0137
2747 500. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
