Carmel woman Uplifted by Cancer Program at Putnam Hospital Center

From Putnam Hospital Center

Even though Jane Smith doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, she recently participated in a program at Putnam Hospital Center aimed at teaching beauty techniques to women undergoing cancer treatment.

The experience, she said, was wonderful.

“When you lose your hair it’s devastating,” Smith, of Carmel, said. “You want to look the best you can because you already feel awkward. It gives you an uplift.”

Look Good Feel Better is a two-hour, hands-on program that includes a 12-step skin care/makeup application lesson, demonstration of options for dealing with hair loss and nail care techniques, as well as advice on how to use wigs, scarves, hairpieces and other accessories. The program at Putnam Hospital Center is in collaboration with the American Cancer Society.

While the tips were useful, Smith said the program also gave her an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations to hers. Smith has battled cancer for two years.

“It was nice to be with other people. It was almost like a support group,” Smith said. “It just makes you feel good and to do the best you can with what you got.”

The Look Good Feel Better program at Putnam Hospital Center meets next from 10 a.m. to noon May 6, Large Oncology Conference Room A, 670 Stoneleigh Ave.

Registration is required and space is limited. Call 1-800-227-2345 to register. You can find out more about the program by visiting

www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org

Caption: Jane Smith at home talks about her experience in the Look Good Feel Better program at Putnam Hospital Center. Photo submitted by Marcela Rojas/Putnam Hospital Center.