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Makeovers help patients gain confidence by Heather Woolwine Public Relations Everyone’s heard the old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Embracing this mindset remains the mark of a well-rounded and compassionate person, but not everyone becomes enlightened enough to truly feel this way about others with differences in their appearance.     Head and neck cancer survivors are a unique group who often surpass great odds to beat the cancer threatening their lives. Incredible people on the inside, head and neck cancer survivors easily encounter feelings of insecurity and a lack of confidence, as oftentimes their appearance may undergo dramatic changes during treatment.   “Head and neck cancers can’t be hidden or go totally unseen like some other cancers; it’s always visible,” said Betsy Davis, DMD, Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Clinic director and Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery  associate professor. “Unfortunately, society tends to judge character at the outset by physical appearance. By holding the makeover sessions, we hope to ease that transition for our patients from treatment back into society. It really is beneficial to the patient.”   Erin Donaldson, clinic volunteer and Saks Fifth Avenue Department Store employee, approached Davis about the makeover sessions for MUSC Head and Neck cancer survivors and coordinated the Saks Fifth Avenue sponsorship.   “These patients have been down a very long and hard road,” Hood said. “Sometimes they’ve experienced multiple surgeries or just one surgery. Facial disfigurement is really a lot to come to terms with, and can sometimes result in a significant loss of self-esteem. This idea was meant to give them a little boost; to give them a moment of pampering and to play up the positive. We’re of course always addressing our patients’ medical needs, but this was a nice way to just involve some fun and relaxation.”   Donaldson brought in the Laura Mercier makeup line from Saks to conduct the first makeover a couple of months ago. Donaldson knew that Saks included cancer philanthropy within their charity work through their Key to the Cure program. Thanks to private donations for the makeover product wish list, Donaldson and the others were able to offer the first two makeovers to Carolyn Lewis and Connie Wyrick.   “It’s about helping our female patients get some of their femininity back,” Donaldson said. “While they’re ill, many of them give up on taking care of how they look, as you would probably expect. Sometimes they feel like they’ve been ruined. If we can help them look their best, I think we’re helping them with their social recovery as well.”   “Surviving head and neck cancer is a huge accomplishment,” Davis said. “The makeover process serves to create a feeling of wholeness and gives them a jumpstart back into society by making them feel like a whole person again. We are very grateful to Saks Fifth Avenue and Erin for their efforts in sponsoring these makeover sessions.”   Friday, Jan. 20, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778, ext. 201.