Colleen Campbell has noticed that the name of the American Cancer Society's “Look Good...Feel Better” program is no lie.

“They walk in the door scared and nervous, and leave a much happier person,” she said.

Between the entrance and the exit, Campbell helps recovering cancer patients rediscover their beauty in monthly meetings at Auburn Memorial Hospital.

Using a free beauty product kit comprised of makeup donated by cosmetic companies, Campbell provides patients with tips on covering blemishes, wig maintenance and tying scarves. The tutorial consists of a 12-step process that patients can follow in the future with a book they receive with the kit.

“I think it's very supportive of people going through a tough time,” said Marilyn Cowan, a patient who has attended past meetings with Campbell.

Campbell, a hairdresser in Union Springs, became involved in “Look Good...Feel Better” four years ago, when the American Cancer Society reached out to cosmetologists in the area for help coordinating sessions in Auburn. She is currently the only volunteer cosmetologist in the area working with the program.

Behind Campbell's decision to join was the belief that she could make a difference in the lives of the cancer patients she would assist. She had also seen firsthand the devastating effects of cancer when her family members developed it.

Now Campbell uses her expertise as a hairdresser to help other cancer patients deal with those effects.

“When their hair falls out, she can tell them all the services they have and that can take away some of the stigma,” said Barbara Gaal, director of Family & Patient Services with the Eastern Division of the American Cancer Society.

Gaal added, “She can fix all those temporary things, and they feel much better about themselves.”

Campbell meets most of the program's patients at AMH, but she also makes housecalls when sickness or shyness may prevent someone from attending.

She also prepares herself to deal with patients who may be experiencing a wide range of emotions at any point in their treatment.

“You never know how a patient's going to be feeling,” Gaal said. “They may be shy and not want to take the wig off, or they're just starting treatment and they don't know what to expect.”

Campbell not only soothes the anxieties of her patients, she also helps them have a fun time at the “Look Good...Feel Better.” Her time with patients is filled with laughter and conversation.

Gaal feels the camaraderie between patients is of particular importance to both their recovery from cancer and their belief that their troubles are temporary.

“It's nice for them to talk amongst themselves and see that this is not the end of everything,” she said. “Everybody has a great outlook, it's incredible.”

Once she has shared her cosmetic tips with patients and helped them through their cancer treatment, Campbell derives a sense of satisfaction from seeing them back in public. She has maintained friendships with several of her patients.

Campbell believes the women currently undergoing treatment benefit when patients return to sessions after conquering their cancer.

“It shows the people going through treatments that they can survive,” she said.

If you go

What: “Look Good...Feel Better”

When: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10

Where: Second floor conference room, Auburn Memorial Hospital

For details: Call (800) ACS-2345

Want to help?

If you are a cosmetologist and would like to volunteer to help at a

“Look Good...Feel Better” session,

call Colleen Campbell at 889-3590