Login / RegisterShoppers Drug Mart’s fundraiser for Look Good Feel Better goes beyond cosmetics
For many women diagnosed with cancer, physical changes that come with chemotherapy and radiation treatments are some of the biggest obstacles to overcome. That’s where Look Good Feel Better comes in. Since 1992, the Canadian not-for-profit organization has been helping women battling cancer manage their physical appearances by learning new makeup techniques, nail and skin care, and hair alternatives, which often boosts morale. So when Shoppers Drug Mart stores in B.C. decided to team up with Look Good Feel Better for a cancer fundraiser, Janelle Sambrook, cosmetics manager at Western Canada’s flagship store (2888 Granville Street), knew she wanted it to be a big success.
“My step-mother had breast cancer, and she went through it [Look Good Feel Better], and she said it was an amazing place to go to because they don’t charge you anything,” Sambrook told the Georgia Straight during a phone interview. “You go, you talk to other women going through the same things, and they really help you learn how to draw your eyebrows in, how to glue on eyelashes when your eyelashes fall out, how to buy a wig—things you don’t really think about.”
Shoppers is currently selling tickets to fundraising galas that will be held at stores with cosmetic departments across the province on May 5. While the event will vary at each store, a $10 ticket will include a half-hour session with a beauty expert, with $5 from each ticket going to charity, and $5 towards a cosmetics purchase.
At the new, two-floor location at the corner of Granville Street and 13th Avenue, representatives from Smashbox, Lancôme, Biotherm, Clinique, Stila, and Guerlain will all be on hand to provide makeovers to those who purchase a ticket by reserving a spot ahead of the event. Sambrook said that ticketholders can choose from learning about a specific makeup technique or skincare regime, to trying out a new product or look, to getting a dramatic makeover.
”We will have a photographer, so if you do have a makeover, you can get before and after photos taken,” Sambrook said.
In addition to the cosmetics portion of the gala, the Shoppers on South Granville will be hosting a charity barbeque outside, with face-painting for kids, and a raffle featuring prizes donated from neighbourhood retailers and cosmetic gift baskets from Shoppers.
“There’s a local wellness group that’s given us tons of stuff to raffle off, like acupuncture and free pilates lessons and stuff like that,” Sambrook said. “All proceeds from the raffle will all go to Look Good Feel Better.”
Tickets to fundraising galas can be purchased at the cosmetics counter at Shoppers locations across B.C. The event at the Shoppers on Granville and 13th will run from 1 to 7 p.m. Sambrook is hoping that those who may not be interested in cosmetics or receiving a makeover will still attend.
“We want to make it really big, and I’d rather it be about the foundation than really about having a cosmetic makeup-y event, although it does tie into that.”
You can follow Michelle da Silva on Twitter at twitter.com/michdas.
