| |
LGFB Sunrise Awards Winners
The national Look Good…Feel Better Sunrise Awards Winners have been given annually since 1994, and are awarded to those who have served as outstanding LGFB volunteers in their community. The 2006 winners, Margaret Dill, Linda Hurst and Suzanne Schrock are three wonderful examples of the quality of almost 12,000 LGFB volunteers who, donating more than 100,000 hours each year, are largely responsible for the program’s success. They became part of an elite group of previously recognized National Sunrise Award Winners on Saturday, March 3, 2007, when they were presented their awards at the National Cosmetology Association’s National and State Officers and Delegates Luncheon, in Chicago.
Margaret Dill, a hair replacement professional from Manorville, New York, became involved with the LGFB program 11 years ago. Women who came to her for consultations regarding hair loss due to chemotherapy often told her about LGFB after attending the program. “I thought it sounded like a terrific way to donate my time and give back to all the special women I had met when I fitted them for wigs,” says Dill.
Since 1995, Dill has served consistently as a dedicated LGFB volunteer in monthly local workshops. “Margaret is professional, compassionate, and offers hope to patients who are feeling hopeless,” reports Eileen Swieczkowski, director of the Fortunato Breast Health Center at John T. Mather Hospital. “Her goals [for successful LGFB group workshops] are achieved through a tremendous amount of positive energy combined with unbounded caring, and deep concern for patients attending the program.” The patients who attend LGFB workshops facilitated by Dill, benefit from her compassionate attitude and genuine interest in their well-being. “When Margaret enters a LGFB session, she lights it up, which is a reflection of her kindness and genuine interest in helping this special group of women,” says Suzanne Bittner, a nurse at the John T. Mather Memorial Hospital. “The patients leave the program with a smile, increased confidence, useful knowledge and tips, after what turns out to be a fun night out for many of them.”
Dill says that her experience with the program has been life changing. “I think that I get more out of the time I spend with the patients than they really do. Sometimes I feel a bit selfish about that, but then I see how one night at a LGFB session really does help ease the trauma they are experiencing from this horrible disease,” says Dill.
Linda Hurst, a cosmetologist and member of the National Cosmetology Association from New Canaan, Connecticut, began her career in TV and film makeup with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as a make-up designer in England. Her work, which included all types of make-up and wigs, proved useful later when she discovered the LGFB program in 1991 while working on a weekly “chat” show in Toronto, Canada. A guest on her show spoke about LGFB, which at the time, was a new program in Canada. “After spending many years with pampered actresses stressing out over a “bad hair day”, I knew it would be very satisfying to help someone who had a lot more to worry about [because they were facing a life threatening illness],” said Hurst.
Since joining the US Look Good. . .Feel Better program in 1993 after a move from Toronto to Connecticut, Hurst has tirelessly served the program, giving her time and talent in the role of both volunteer and trainer. She has helped develop LGFB programs at the Stamford Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, and the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center. In addition, she became a LGFB area trainer in 2000 and has been successful at recruiting and training new LGFB volunteers needed in her area. “Linda is a wonderful teacher,” says Sally Cascella, nurse educator at the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center. “I believe the success of the program is due in large part to Linda’s professional, kind, caring, and loving qualities towards patients and volunteers.”
“The patients who attend LGFB sessions facilitated by Linda find her delightful and benefit from the positive energy she brings to each session,” says Michelle J. Worf, American Cancer Society area 5 director of cancer control. “She reaches out personally through the LGFB sessions, recognizing each woman’s challenges and unique effects from their treatment.” Hurst says that being involved with Look Good…Feel Better has brought her much pleasure over the last 14 years. “I enjoy interacting with the patients and making the sessions as enjoyable for them as I can. During treatment for cancer, [women] have little control over what is happening to [their] body. I feel my part in Look Good…Feel Better is to help the patients have control over their appearance,” she said.
Suzanne Schrock, a registered nurse at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC, is truly a LGFB pioneer. She has been a volunteer with LGFB since the program’s beginning in 1989 when she attended the first workshop at the Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University Hospital, which was one of two pilot sites for the program. “I have been hooked since then!” says Schrock.
Suzanne has served LGFB outstandingly in many roles, including volunteer, medical consultant and spokesperson for the program. Her primary responsibility has been as a volunteer coordinator, staffing both the LGFB and Luzca Bien. . .Sientase Mejor (the Spanish language version of LGFB) programs in the Washington, DC area. “Suzie has successfully coordinated literally thousands of Look Good. . .Feel Better programs,” says Gloria Pender, mission delivery manager for the national capital region of the American Cancer Society. “Thanks to her, not a single session in 17 years has been cancelled due to lack of cosmetologists or participants, a remarkable achievement which deserves recognition.”
Schrock has also been instrumental in the growth of the LGFB program in Washington, DC. During the first year of the program alone, seven hospital sites were added under her leadership. “Suzy’s support over the years has been invaluable,” says Joanne Assarsson, a clinical social worker at Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University Hospital. “Her dedication, knowledge and enthusiasm for LGFB are truly evident.”
She has also served as a member of the LGFB Advisory Board, used her extensive knowledge of LGFB to contribute to national program evaluation, appeared in two LGFB volunteer training videos, and participated in numerous local and national media interviews. “I have sung the program’s praises at every opportunity,” Schrock says. “I have encouraged hundreds of patients to attend LGFB and have even held hands with patients who were reluctant to go. And always, always, always I get such joy from seeing patients’ delight and smiles and interactions, and seeing how these women all support and care for one another.”
Feature
| More
Stories | Q&A
| Ask
Us
|
