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new web site talks straight to teens with cancer
Washington, D.C. Although the
occurrence of cancer is rare for children 13 to 17, it is still
the leading cause of death from disease. The good news, however,
is that the mortality rate has declined 50 percent since 1973 and
advances in cancer treatment and therapy have been numerous and
extremely effective. In an effort to reach out to teens and help
them deal with their disease, Look Good
Feel Better®
for Teens has launched the new Web site www.2bMe.org.
The Web site is intended to augment the in-hospital
Look Good
Feel Better for Teens program a free public
service for teens between 13 and 17 that provides information dealing
with the appearance and sociological side-effects related to cancer
and its treatment. Originally launched in 1996, the program is now
available in 13 cities nationwide. A generous grant from AVON Products,
Inc. made it possible to reach out to all teens with cancer who
have access to the Internet.
We wanted to give teens a chance to learn
more about the appearance-related effects of cancer treatment without
making them feel self-conscious about asking questions, explains
Carolyn Deaver, vice president of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance
Association (CTFA) Foundation and the Look Good...Feel Better
program. What better way to reach out to todays teens
than through the Internet?
Based on the Look Good
Feel Better for
Teens program which was developed with the help of child psychologists,
nutritionists, social workers and other medical professionals, 2bMe.org
provides users the option to privately explore the different challenges
caused by their disease on their own terms. Divided into four main
areas About Face, Head Way, Health
Esteem and Social Circles topics include
skincare, nutrition advice and information on social issues relevant
to teens.
Taylor
Design, based in Stamford, CT, developed the site. New York
artist, Roxanna
Baer, provided contemporary and colorful illustrations for the
Web site design. A team of cosmetologists, nutritionists, social
workers and oncologists that work with teens created the copy. Stacey
Resnikoff, a professional writer experienced in advertising
and writing for teen magazines, completed additional research and
made the language more appealing to teens. The end product is an
exciting and entertaining way for teens to get great information
on appearance, social and nutritional issues.
The Web site speaks to teens in their
own voice, said Lynn Hardesty, social worker at Childrens
National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. On 2bMe.org, they
can find real life suggestions on how to look and feel better without
being alienated by stiff, medical language or adult themes. For
example, the site gives excellent suggestions on how to cope in
social situations, such as dealing with their friends, keeping their
cool without interfering with their treatment and keeping
life as normal as possible during this time.
If youve visited 2bMe.org and would like
more information about the site or the Look Good...Feel Better
for Teens program, call 800-395-LOOK, contact the American Cancer
Society or visit the Look Good...Feel Better® Web site
at www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org.
CONTACT
Misty Bastian, 202-331-1770 |