News
Look Good...Feel Better Workshops to continue
12th August, 2008
The Ararat Breast Cancer Support Group have generously donated $1,000 so the ‘Look Good...Feel Better' Program can continue for the next twelve months.
This significant support to what has been a most beneficial program for women undergoing or about to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer in the Central Grampians Region will allow a further three workshops to be held with the next planned for Tuesday 7th October.
The announcement was made by President Bev Walker at a recent Feel Good Luncheon held to acknowledge all the participants in the previous three workshops together with the volunteers from Kay Poyner Beauty Therapy, Amcal Pharmacy, Healthwise Pharmacy, Blue Cameo Hairdressing, the Oncology Nurses, Community Health Nurses and importantly the Grampians Integrated Cancer Service who funded getting the program up and running and the successful workshops conducted so far.
Hosted by East Grampians Health Service and held in Pyrenees House the workshops so far have been most positive and beneficial to the women who have participated and all present at the luncheon felt the offer by the Ararat Breast Cancer Support Group is an outstanding gesture from a group that are all cancer survivors themselves.
The Ararat Breast Cancer Support Group is not a fundraising group, however through community donations and their annual Pink Ribbon Day they have been able to contribute to the program continuing. The Group works closely with the health service and regularly volunteering in the Oncology Unit serving cuppas and providing a friendly face to chemotherapy patients.
‘Look Good...Feel Better' is a free nation wide community service program dedicated to teaching women cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self image during cancer treatment. Through the ‘Look Good...Feel Better' workshops, women learn how to cope with the appearance related side effects of cancer treatment.
The ‘Look Good...Feel Better' workshops are available to a maximum of 12 participants who learn about techniques to deal with changes to their skin, loss of hair from brows, lashes and head as well as other appearance related concerns. Participants can only attend one workshop though. Demonstrations on the use of wigs, hats, turbans and scarf tying are also included. The emphasis is on hands on learning, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Each participant receives a take home instruction booklet and a complimentary kit of skincare and cosmetics, which have been donated from the entire Australian cosmetic industry. The program aim is to contribute to the health and wellbeing of cancer patients by increasing their self esteem and confidence, and embraces the notion that they are not alone; others do care outside their immediate circle of close friends.
In congratulating Ararat on the continuing of the program Victoria/Tasmania State Program Manager for the the ‘Look Good...Feel Better' Program Sue Kefelja said: "Everyone involved has done such a wonderful job of setting up the ‘Look Good...Feel Better' program in Ararat. So often many of the workshop centres take ages to get off the ground but you have all taken to it with ease and it has been such a success. To receive this contribution from the Ararat Breast Cancer Support Group must make things a lot easier and you know you can go ahead without the financial worry."
If you know of a family member, friend or someone in the community who would benefit from being involved in the forthcoming workshop please extend an invitation and encourage them to contact Unit Nurse Manager, Lorine Paterson at East Grampians Health Service: Tel: 5352 9434, Email: lpaterson@eghs.net.au
