Today I want to share with you about Look Good Feel Better. I know a bit about this program because my mom leads Look Good Feel Better classes at her local American Cancer Society office! All of the pictures in this post are of women in her classes who have given permission to be photographed for promotional use.

About Look Good Feel Better

The appearance changes women undergo while coping with cancer treatment – like beauty itself – are far more than skin deep. They can impact a woman’s self-esteem and rob her of the courage and confidence she needs to face one of the toughest battles of her life.

Look Good Feel Better, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women living with cancer to manage the appearance side effects of treatment and improve their self-esteem, celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, marking a milestone in helping women undergoing cancer treatment. To mark this monumental occasion, Look Good Feel Better is encouraging women to “Reimagine Beauty” (both inside and out) and what it means to women undergoing cancer treatment.

What Can YOU Do?

1. Hopefully, you don’t have cancer but unfortunately, you probably know someone who does. Let them know about Look Good Feel Better and the programs they offer. They have classes for men, women and teens. Just enter your zip code on the program finder to see what is available in your area.
2. Visit LookGoodFeelBetter.org and try out the Virtual Makeover Tool. Sharethe “after” photo from the Virtual Makeover tool on Facebook or Twitter, using the hashtag #ReimagineBeauty, to spread awareness and to be entered for a chance to win a trip to the National Women’s Survivors Convention in Nashville, TN July 31 through August 2, 2014. I did and if I would be lucky enough to win I would give the trip to my mom who inspires me every day as she gives of her time and talents to people battling cancer.
3. Share this blog post. You never know who needs this information.

Thanks for reading and sharing!

The post Introducing Look Good Feel Better appeared first on The Mom Maven.

After the Survivor’s dinner, the opening ceremonies were held and then the 18 hour relay started with a very special lap, the Survivors Lap. The Survivors gathered behind a banner and walked counter-clockwise around the track while the Caregivers walked clockwise around the track. The two groups met up on the far side of the track and then merged into one large group and completed the lap going counter-clockwise, it was very touching to celebrate with the survivors.

After that the teams hit the track. Each team has to have at least 1 member on the track at all times during the 18 hour relay. Teams are made up of school and church groups, civic clubs, companies and even groups of families. Each team raises money before the event and during the event they try to raise more money by selling food, drinks, t-shirts, glow bracelets and even by holding raffles. This years goal for the Venice relay was $220,000 and they were well on their way to meeting their goal when I headed home.

From my mother, in memory of her mother Blanche Sellenger

Once the sun goes down the solemn luminaria ceremony begins. People donate money and decorate paper bags in honor or in memory of someone affected by cancer. I did 2 bags one for Jill Harris, my husband’s cousin who died of breast cancer leaving 2 young sons behind and one for all of my Hystersisters who have battled cancer. My mom bought one in memory of her mom. We walk a lap in silence, the only sound a bagpipe playing “Amazing Grace”. This is so powerful. I wept all the way around the track and then I totally lost it, I got to a spot where a young boy, maybe 9-10 yrs old, wearing a survivor shirt himself, was kneeling in front of a luminaria with a man’s name on it and the word “daddy”. This brought it all home for me, my heart broke for this boy. It solidified in my heart the fact that we need to do what we can to raise funds for the American Cancer Society so that they can both support those battling cancer and those searching for a cure.

What are you doing to secure a healthier, cancer-free future?

The post Relay for Life Venice, Florida appeared first on The Mom Maven.

(I stole this picture off mom's Facebook page...I hope she doesn't kill me!)

Today is actually the 5th anniversary of my mom being cancer free! Yes, my mom is a breast cancer survivor and she now volunteers her time for the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery and Look Good…Feel Better programs. I am proud of my mom, how she walked through her cancer with a positive attitude and how she now gives back to others who are suffering with all types of cancers.

Part of the fun of the walk is that we are encouraged to wear a decorated pink bra on the outside of your clothing during the walk. Yesterday, we got crafty and decorated our bras for the walk.

Getting Crafty

My bra

All 3 finished projects

You’ll have to wait for my post on the actual walk to see us wearing our creations

In all seriousness though, this is a fundraising walk and I am really counting on you, my readers, to help support me in my effort. From now until the walk, the Making Strides badge will be at the top of my page for you to click on to donate. You can also click here. No donation is too small. I have set a modest goal-since we are starting kind of late, I’d like to raise at least $250.00. Together we CAN do this! Thank you for your help and support.

Please leave a comment and let me know you donated!

The post Making Strides Against Breast Cancer appeared first on The Mom Maven.