All of us feel better when we look our best, right? A nonprofit that grew from a woman’s support of her sister has put that belief into action in a meaningful way, and is now reaching out so others can do the same.
The Face in the Mirror Foundation based in Phoenix, Ariz., is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded by Barbara MacLean in memory of her sister Charlotte Mae McCracken who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2001. The group reaches out to women with all types of cancer – in hospitals, clinics, care facilities, and homes.
Services include:
• The application of cosmetics to give the woman a boost.
• Giftbags with chemically free cosmetics and skin care products.
• A hand massage with a kind word to add relaxation a stressful day.
• A comfortable wig or scarf to add that little personal touch of
beauty or confidence.
• A book of poetry entitled “The Psalm of Life”, which was written by
Barbara MacLean, filled with words to inspire and uplift the spirit.
• A CD, entitled “Face in the Mirror”, delivering a message of hope and love to ALL women dealing with their own face in the mirror.
• A beautiful personal mirror, given with the hope that one day the recipient will be able to look at herself and say, “the face in the mirror is still me...She’s still me!”
The services stem from a personal and supportive philosophy of improving the outer well-being of cancer patients. The group’s website states: "How you look directly affects how you feel. We know there is a direct correlation between a person's emotional and physical health. Illness can consume ones energy; appearance can easily fall by the wayside. Helping a patient look better can give them the extra boost they need to actually be better."
Face in the Mirror’s initial outreach included providing free cosmetics, facials, makeovers and wigs (with support from the American Cancer Society) to women in the metropolitan Phoenix area. They're currently expanding to other US cities, starting with Chicago, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City - and have also been registered and trademarked in the United States, England, Canada and Northern Ireland. The nonprofit is seeking donors, volunteers and those interested in starting new Face In the Mirror support programs.
For more information, go to: http://www.faceinthemirror.org/
or call (866) 410-FACE. You can also find Face In The Mirror on Facebook.