By Sheila Golden
For the News Tribune
KEYSER — “Because my immediate family has been deeply touched by cancer — because everyone is touched by cancer in some way — this is my motivation for being involved in Relay for Life,” says Mandi Rader, coordinator of the local effort.
Rader has been working with the Mineral County Relay for Life for the past seven years and she is currently in her third year as the event coordinator.
Several months ago, Rader was trained as a facilitator in the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society. Of the 28 individuals interviewed as potential trainees, only eight were selected to receive the instruction. Rader acquired skills in building, motivating and retaining Relay teams.
At the conclusion of her instruction, she signed a two-year commitment to teach mini courses in team development at the division’s Relay University. She is qualified to be a presenter at any of the universities conducted within the South Atlantic Division.
In November 2008, she served as a facilitator for the first time at the Virginia-West Virginia Relay for Life University held in Richmond, Va. Rader hopes to continue her involvement in some capacity at the division level after her current contract expires. Her ongoing goal is to inform people about Relay and to motivate people to become involved in this signature fund raising event for the American Cancer Society.
“One of the worst things about having cancer,” states Rader. “I want to help combat these things in any way that I can.”
As a result of Rader’s efforts, the “Look Good . . . Feel Better” program offered by the American Cancer Society is now more readily available to the citizens of Mineral County. This program is a community-based, free, national service founded in 1989 to help women offset appearance-related changes brought about by cancer treatment.
Rader is a trained and certified consultant for this program. Her background provides a strong foundation for this service, since
she holds a degree in radiology technology and is a licensed cosmetologist.
The Look Good . . . Feel Better program provides beauty tips to female cancer patients to help them look better and feel good about how they look during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Rader can lead individuals or small groups through practical, hands-on experience. During a one-time session women learn about makeup, skin care, nail care, and ways to deal with hair loss such as with wigs, turbans, and scarves. Each woman receives a free makeup kit to use during and after the workshop. “Cancer treatment results in a compromised immune system for most cancer patients. For this reason, changes in the area of personal care are necessary. For example, something as minor as a hang nail can result in a serious infection,” explains Rader, “and we address these issues as we work together. We can meet in a community room or in a church basement. The place is really not that important,” she said.
Beauty products for this program are donated by such corporations as Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lacombe, Proctor & Gamble and others.
To participate in this program, cancer patients may call 1-800-ACS-2345 or call Rader at Salon Exposure at (304) 788-6634.
In describing the Look Good . . . Feel Better program and her role as a consultant, Rader explains, “This program is about more than just looking beautiful and learning to apply makeup. It is a means for building camaraderie and support among cancer patients. It provides a time for these women to communicate and share. I feel that I am more of a facilitator than a consultant.”
With sincerity and conviction, Rader further states, “The most beautiful people I have ever met are fighting cancer.”
“Hope” is the national theme for the 2009 Relay for Life, and Mineral County’s theme is “Hope Grows.”
The next meeting of the Mineral County Relay for Life will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. at the Mineral County Health Dept. All existing teams, anyone interested in forming a team, or those just interested in helping with the event is encouraged to attend. Those who do not wish to participate as members of Relay teams can assist in other ways. The committee will match individuals to specific tasks based on their interests and experiences.
For additional information, call Rader at (304) 788-6634.
