Volunteer Spotlight: Victoria Littlefield, Pittston, Maine

The next volunteer featured in our National Volunteer Week blog series is Victoria Littlefield, a Look Good Feel Better volunteer from Pittston, Maine, who has been recognized with the 2015 Look Good Feel Better National Sunrise Award in the LGFB Certified Volunteer category.

Victoria Littlefield has been a volunteer with the Look Good Feel Better program for more than 26 years, a testament to her long-term dedication and selfless commitment to helping people suffering with cancer. As a volunteer area trainer, she has been a committed, passionate volunteer and leader.  She helps organize and facilitate Look Good Feel Better certification training sessions for new volunteers and group patient workshops. Victoria surpasses the expectations of her duties as Area Trainer, recently joining the local Chamber of Commerce to promote greater awareness of Look Good Feel Better and increasing her
networking opportunities with the hope of expanding the program in the future.

We asked Victoria a few questions about her experience with Look Good Feel Better, and here is what she had to say:

Q: What brought you to Look Good Feel Better?

I was first approached by a client of mine who is an oncology nurse, and still actually works with the program today. She asked me if I would be interested in working with a program that was starting up called Look Good Feel Better. I had always been involved in the community, so I immediately knew this would be something I wanted to do. I quickly realized how phenomenal the program is, and have been doing it ever since.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment with Look Good Feel Better, and why?

It’s so hard to pick my most memorable moment with Look Good Feel Better after volunteering for 26 years and receiving 100s of cards from thankful participants. One of the more recent moments that stands out to me occurred with a younger woman in my class – she was in her 30s. She was having
trouble coping with cancer at such a young age, particularly with losing her hair and the changes occurring to her skin. She expressed to me that she even felt uncomfortable around her husband. By the time she was done with the program, and tried on a wig, her disposition had transformed. She said the
class went so well for her, and that the wig looked better than her real hair!

She told me, “They say there are angels around us and that we might see an angel one day, but I never thought I would be blessed to look at one in real life. It just makes such a difference to be able to go through the worst point in my life, look in the mirror, and be able to say that I look great. Thank you so much for all you do.”

Q: What is your favorite section of the program? Is there a particular reason?

I am an oncology esthetician, so my specialty really has to do with the skin. That being said, I love the whole program, which is the complete package. I like the comradery that exists between the participants in the class. When they first walk in the room and look at each other, they are all slightly uncomfortable as I try to make them feel welcome. By the end of the program, they’re talking about their life, children, work, and everything in between. All the women have the same common denominator, but during the
class they get to focus on themselves. I love the joy of being able to participate with these women who have become a family to me, which is what it’s all about.

Q: Why do you continue to volunteer with Look Good Feel Better, or why would you recommend it to others?

For me it’s the ability to give back. It has been an honor to help when these women are trying hard to keep it all together and like what they see in the mirror. People have thanked me for what I do and what I do with my time so many times. I have received 100s of cards over the years where they all say thanks so much, I say thank you for letting me be a part of your journey!

If you have a talent and the time, you receive a lot more in return by giving back to others. It has been a privilege to work with these people and help make a difference in their lives.