ARCADIA – The recently opened Positive Appearance Center at Methodist Hospital provides valuable services to current and former cancer patients – and at no cost.
Located in the former physician dining room just inside the physician/staff entrance at the south end of campus, the 300-square-foot room was completely refurbished to provide a warm, inviting environment where cancer patients can receive counseling and items designed to enhance their appearance – including head scarves, hats, skin lotions, cosmetics and more.
“Our goal is to provide appearance counseling, cosmetic products, skin care, hair assistance, equipment and accessories to men and women during their treatment and follow-up for all types of cancer,” said Ginamarie Farino, manager of the Cancer Resource Center as well as the new Positive Appearance Center. “Everything is free, and our counseling services are provided by staff and volunteers.”
The center is designed to complement the important cancer-related services that Methodist Hospital already offers. Farino expects up to 150 patients will come through the center annually. Two full-time Cancer Resource Center staff and hospital volunteers also serve patients in the center. In addition, community members donate cosmetology, hair styling and other services.
“People have been waiting for this project to be completed, and many have been very enthusiastic in donating their time and expertise for such a worthy cause,” Farino said. Efforts to establish the center have been under way for about a year.
Helping bring the project to fruition: a $25,000 grant from the Patron Saints Foundation and a $10,000 gift from the Spero Foundation. Both foundations designated their grants to support the Positive Appearance Center.
“We’re extremely grateful for these very generous gifts,” Farino sa id. “Having a private, dedicated space for these services is a joy and a treat that these grants truly enabled to happen.”
The Positive Appearance Center actually grew out of the American Cancer Society’s “Look Good…Feel Better” program that has operated at the hospital for several years. That program helps women with appearance-related side effects. While Look Good…Feel Better is available on campus every other month, the Positive Appearance Center provides those services and more on a regular basis.
“When people feel good about the way they look, they generally feel good on the inside,” Farino said. “We wanted to create a space that is comfortable and welcoming so that people could have an escape from their day-to-day worries while getting support related to appearance concerns.”
Farino said the program upholds the hospital’s mission of providing high-quality healing services while caring for the emotional and spiritual needs of patients. “We’re focused on the needs of the entire patient, not just the physical or medical needs,” she said.
Anyone interested in donating services, time or money may contact the Cancer Resource Center at 626-574-3515.
About Methodist Hospital
Founded in 1903, Methodist Hospital of Southern California is a 581-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving the greater San Gabriel Valley. Services include our 24/7 emergency department, outpatient surgery, labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care, neurosurgery, acute physical rehab and complete cardiovascular services, including open-heart surgery. Methodist Hospital is a Los Angeles County-certified stroke center, as well as an approved STEMI receiving center for heart attack patients.
We are a recognized center of excellence for heart care, knee and hip replacement, cancer care and bariatric surgery. Methodist Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission with advanced certification in heart failure and stroke and is accredited as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. For more information, visit www.methodisthospital.org.
Media contact: Doneva Garcia doneva.garcia@methodisthospital.org
Public Relations and Communication www.methodisthospital.org
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