National Cancer Survivor Month: Let the Celebration Commence!

By Louanne Roark

Executive Director, Look Good Feel Better Foundation

June is a month if new beginnings. June weddings, graduations, and commencement ceremonies, and of course the official start of Summer is all cause for celebration. So too is National Cancer Survivor Month. Every June, Look Good Feel Better honors the resilient spirit of the millions of cancer survivors in the United States and around the world, many of whom we’ve known and served through our programs.

The journey from patient to survivor is long and arduous. While cancer can feel lonely and isolating, there are countless doctors, clinicians, researchers, and scientists whose dedication and tireless efforts make survivorship possible, as well as communities of families, friends and caregivers who walk the cancer journey alongside their loved ones.

Look Good Feel Better plays an important role as well. Our program has always been about more than makeup. We are a component of the ever-evolving ecosystem of care that is helping to re-define a cancer diagnosis from terminal to treatable. And that is an achievement worth celebrating.

Emerging research is emphasizing the important role of psychosocial support as a vital component of cancer care and recovery. Programs like ours can complement the clinical interventions provided by medical professionals, and augment the care from family and friends, by fostering a sense of control and building community among individuals who feel isolated by their disease and treatment. A patient’s emotional and mental wellness directly impacts their cancer outcomes, and we are proud to bring a touch of the ordinary back into the lives of people facing extraordinary challenges.

Collectively, our efforts have reached more than 2.2 million cancer survivors in 27 countries worldwide as the only global charitable program addressing confidence, beauty, appearance, and morale to restore a sense of normalcy for people undergoing cancer treatment.

The industry that supports our program is committed to the cause of survivorship. Companies like Avon, Coty, Mary Kay, L’Oreal, P&G Beauty, The Estee Lauder Companies, Ulta Beauty, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Wella and many others support cancer related causes and help advance some of the world’s most promising cancer research. 

This National Cancer Survivor Month, we invite you to join us as we honor the survivors among us. It is called a battle for a reason. It takes courage. Strength. Resolve. Every survivor deserves our admiration. Let’s take the opportunity to celebrate them today and every day. And let’s collectively continue our relentless efforts to find a cure that ends cancer for everyone.