Cancer charity pledges to meet unprecedented demand

Cancer charity pledges to meet unprecedented demand

Look Good Feel Better wants thousands to experience transformational workshop

An estimated 1,800 people will be diagnosed with cancer in July. Collectively they will face more than 36,000 medical appointments during their treatment. Yet only a small percentage of those will experience a transformational Look Good Feel Better workshop.

It is one event in a calendar full of medical appointments when they can feel normal again, they are treated as an individual, not a patient. However the demand for workshops is at an all-time high.

Today marks the start of Look Good Feel Better’s flagship campaign Feel Better Month, to raise vital funds to host thousands of women, men and teenagers across the country.

“Our aim is that nobody should have to travel more than 30 minutes to attend a class, and we are determined to extend our programme to ensure we deliver on that,” Clare O’Higgins, Look Good Feel Better’s general manager says.

“To imagine putting somebody on a waiting list because we cannot provide a class for anybody is heart-breaking when you consider what they are going through. We never want that to happen. That means we need to provide more locations, more tutors, more make up volunteers and cosmetic products – and more funds.”

The money raised from last year’s campaign helped add three Auckland workshop locations, as well as Kapiti, Hawera, Taumarunui, and earlier this week, Kerikeri.

“This meant participants were closer to home – some would have previously faced a two-hour journey. Many of our attendees use holiday and sick leave to cover treatment so we want to minimise how long they are travelling if taking time off work to come.”

All the money raised in July will directly support more workshops around the country. Look Good Feel Better has identified an immediate need for more workshops in Christchurch, Rangiora, Queenstown and Wanganui.

“As well as helping them learn ways to disguise the gruelling side effects of treatment, we also provide a safe environment where they can take off their wig or scarf, be with others who truly understand what they are going through, bond and laugh, and remember what it is like to be a person again. Yes, we help them look good, we also help them feel better, and that is the true transformation. It changes their outlook, as well as their look.”

New Zealanders can get behind this country-wide cause in a variety of ways during Feel Better Month:

• Host a mini-fundraiser on Feel Better Fridays

• Donate directly at http://www.lgfb.co.nz/donate/

• Buy selected lipsticks or nail varnish from Farmers, for every lipstick sold, Farmers and the cosmetic brand will donate $1.You can also indulge in a mini facial or purchase Look Good Feel Better merchandise including nail files, butterfly bracelets & bookmarks, or donate at the Farmers counter

• Adding $1 to your purchase at Unichem and Life Pharmacies throughout the country.

• Gift your time through volunteering http://www.lgfb.co.nz/get-involved/become-a-volunteer

ENDS

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