June is National Cancer Survivor Month and the first Tuesday (June 3) marks an opportunity for those in the beauty and wellness industries to show their support. Celebrated as Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day, the movement encourages businesses to offer complimentary services of their choice to all men, women and children who are cancer survivors—regardless of their type of cancer or when they were diagnosed.
With businesses in all fifty states, along with beauty salons in Canada, Mexico and Italy, the initiative was started in 2003 by Barbara Paget of Rancho Mirage. At 80 years young, Paget continues to work on her goal of making this a nationally designated day.
The idea for the volunteer movement arose from a morning show segment Paget saw over two decades ago. In response to the large number of clientele being diagnosed with cancer, a local spa decided to offer a day of complimentary beauty services to those affected. The act of kindness hit a nerve and she thought out loud, “I can do that!”
Paget approached the owner of a spa she frequented who immediately agreed to the gesture of support. With only a small flyer in the spa and one at a nearby breast center, the day was filled with a waiting list. After three years, Paget decided to expand the movement, but never dreamed it would go beyond her home state of Illinois.
Today, Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day is supported by Great Clips®, Pivot Point International, Stand Up 2 Cancer and other national organizations, along with hundreds of small businesses across the country. To take part, businesses simply display the organization’s flyer (available on their website) in their salon, studio or clinic and contact Paget to be added to their national roster of participants.
“I do not ask any participant what they are offering,” she says. “I am simply grateful for their support to help those affected. I ask that they simply let their clients know about the day.”
Local organizations taking part include Myokinetix Functional Performance Health & Wellness, Blown El Paseo at Shear Hair Design, Lucky Boys Hair Salons, Mirela’s Spa & Salon, The Private Club Barbershop, Josef Saliba Salon and Thyme to Tease to name a few. A full list can be found at the organization’s website.
“If you know a cancer survivor in another state, reach out to them with the website information,” recommends Paget. “I encourage any cancer survivor to reach out to me if there isn’t a place taking part in the event near to where they live.”
The website also offers information on companies that go above and beyond for cancer survivors including Walgreens which has trained sales associates to help those affected through their “Feel More Like You” campaign, and Great Clips’ “Clips of Kindness” for those starting chemotherapy and concerned about hair loss.
Each year, Paget calls the businesses on her roster to ensure they are once again showing their support. “At 80, it is a wonderful feeling to hear a business say they were waiting for my call, or that they already have Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day on their calendar. It just shows that you are never too old to have an idea, pursue it and continue to grow your vision!” She adds that the real beauty of the day, however, is the support it gives those in need.
Businesses interested in taking part can simply download the flyer at
cancersurvivorbeautyandsupportday.org where the list of participating businesses can also be found. For more information, contact Barbara Paget at [email protected].
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