Looking good makes you feel better

Alyce Tipton

News you can use: People interested in the Look Good … Feel Better program can call the Norwich office at 885-6303 or can call 1-800-ACS-2345 or go to www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org

In June 2004, Alyce Tipton was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was tired and weak after going through six operations in one year. She found out about the Look Good … Feel Better program, which offers beauty tips and products to cancer patients to help restore their appearance and self-esteem during radiation and chemotherapy.

“I was a participant and it did make me feel better,” said Ms. Tipton, whose cancer was successfully treated at Backus Hospital. “Little did I know then I’d be teaching the program.”

Ms. Tipton has been a cosmetologist for 37 years, so she decided to go through the training to become a volunteer for the program, which is coordinated by the American Cancer Society. It is a community-based, free, national service that has benefited many Backus Hospital patients.

“I recently helped a woman who was going to attend her husband’s retirement party,” Ms. Tipton said. “She was self-conscious about her appearance, and that she didn’t have any eyebrows left after chemotherapy. I showed her how to put eyebrows on her face and it changed her whole outlook. It’s often the small things that most people take for granted.”

Merle Stoner, Community Executive for Cancer Control in the American Cancer Society’s Norwich office, said the program relies on volunteer cosmetologists.

“It is very popular with our patients,” Ms. Stoner said. “You can see their spirits being lifted and their attitude becomes much more positive. Alyce, being a cancer survivor, understands their situation that much better and can empathize with them.”

The American Cancer Society office also has free head wraps, turbans and wigs of all styles and colors. The make-up kits are designed for different skin tones as well.

Ms. Tipton has been teaching the classes for about eight months. In January, she also opened her own salon in a custom-designed 37-foot RV, which is wheelchair-accessible. She can go to people’s homes and offer them manicures, facials, massages, skin care and hairstyling.

“When I was first diagnosed I asked ‘why me’ but then I realized why not, I’m not better than anyone else,” Ms. Tipton said. “I decided I wanted to leave my mark on the world and help others.”