Survivor Chic - Feel Beautiful Again...for cancer patients & survivors
Feel Beautiful Again…for cancer patients and survivors.
WGN Fashion Segment: Feel Beautiful Again…for cancer patients and survivors. 
Today there are millions of cancer patients and cancer survivors living in the U.S. In fact, in 2010, there were over 2.5 million women living with breast cancer. For cancer patients and survivors, being able to look “normal” and feel good about how they look, plays a huge role in emotional well-being and can ultimately affect overall health.
Lynette Bisconti, President of The Gateway for Cancer Research, and Terri Johnston, owner of Inspiration Salon, teamed up to create a fashion segment designed to help cancer patients and survivors with fashion tips for every day fashion, as well as for the upcoming holiday season. Through television fashion segments, The Gateway offers a message of hope to let patients know how they can look their best at any time to help ease the emotional impact of cancer. This segment helps cancer patients and survivors maintain their own style, while addressing some common fashion issues and challenges both during and after treatment. Note that each model is a cancer survivor.
Our first model is Nancy Ryder. She is ready for just about anything for the holidays. 
Nancy is wearing a post mastectomy red lace camisole, complimented with black flowing pants and a cashmere sweater for warmth and comfort. Note that the versatile post-surgery camisoles come in many colors and are not only softer, but provide the option of adding a prosthesis or not. They’re great, because most women cannot wear the same bras they wore prior to surgery. And, note that Nancy is wearing a lightweight synthetic wig that looks and moves like real hair…this completes the look. Nancy is ready for any holiday party.
Susi Lambert has on a lightweight synthetic wig and fun fall hat from our Inspiration Salon. Together these help camouflage hair loss that is a result of cancer treatments. The poncho and boot look is one of the hottest fashion trends again this season. These help to create a more comfortable day of holiday shopping. This outfit is easy to get in and out of, for doctor appointments and it is comfortable to walk around in - for a day on the town.
Betty Lindstrom is next. She has on a black sleeveless cowl neck post mastectomy camisole with festive, fun palazzo pants. A human hair wig is styled just right for the holiday party! Since its human hair, it looks so natural and you would have no idea it’s a wig. It looks and moves like human hair. So Betty can tie it back or put it up just as she would with her own hair. A few accessories and Betty is ready for anything.
Rachel Canis is not only a leukemia survivor but also is a personal shopper at Bloomingdale’s. Rachel has styled her own look today with clothes she found on the job. This flowing wrap can cover anything from a scar to a port and the pants have big pockets to carry around anything you need – whether it’s your wallet or a drain. The shirt is ultra soft – great for post-surgery when skin can be very sensitive. She’s paired it with a wrap/scarf/shawl all in one with sleeves that is not only fashionable but also covers everything.
And last but not least is Michelle Dodd who’s ready for The Gateway Gala: Cures 2011. 
Michelle has on an evening gown that crosses over the front, which can help camouflage uneven breasts. Of course, that can happen to anyone let alone someone who’s had treatment for breast cancer. Michelle also has on a lovely, versatile ruffled plum shawl that provides warmth and places to hide things. I love any kind of wrap/shawl and always have one with me when I travel because it’s always cold on an airplane no matter the time of year. Add some simple shoes, a few baubles and Michelle is ready to party.
The overall message from The Gateway for these models and for every cancer patient and survivor is to be comfortable with yourself and the many changes that cancer brings. Know that you are not alone. Cancer changes your life forever, and you will need to establish a new ‘you’. The challenge is to find a level of inner comfort so that you can live your life again. Cancer brings so many changes and clearly, cancer brings a ‘new normal’. We hope this segment helps cancer survivors feel good about themselves and that there are clothing options for both comfort and style for every cancer survivor.
At The Gateway, we are demanding cures today so more people can be survivors.
From our spring/summer fashion segment:
Celebrating the Beauty of Survival
Terri Johnston, a Gateway for Cancer ResearchSM volunteer and the owner of Inspiration Salon in Rockford, IL, joined The Gateway on WLS-TV to show cancer patients and survivors that fashion doesn’t need to take a back seat during or after treatment. Terri explained how with a few simple adjustments you can maintain your own personal sense of style and feel great about your look. Click here to view the video.
Easy, Versatile Looks Right from Your Own Closet
The fun, versatile fashions featured on WLS-TV and described below can be the perfect style solution for any woman who is undergoing or has undergone treatment. Each of these affordable outfits can be created by combining just a few purchased items with what’s already in your closet.
Outfit #1 – Modeled by Sharon Brodeski
Sharon has on an easy, layered look that works for anyone. Sharon is wearing a pair of jeans right out of her closet and a versatile post-surgery camisole. One of the other pieces of clothing Sharon found helpful is a sports jacket that gave access to her arm port, and has pockets that allow her to carry drains and other needed items. The wrap scarf is also great. It comes in all colors, covers what you want and fits any size while also giving access to ports or drains without having to get undressed.
Outfit #2 – Modeled by Betty Lindstrom
Betty Lindstrom is wearing one of the versatile post-surgery camisoles. They come in many colors and are not only softer, but provide the option of adding a prosthesis or not. The camisole can be worn either way. They’re great, because most women can’t wear the same bras they wore prior to surgery. The higher neckline helps cover chest ports that many people have. Betty has on a skirt right from her closet. You can put on a jacket and be off to the office, out to lunch or just about anywhere with this look.
Betty's hair is so natural looking that you would never guess it’s a wig. It’s made of human hair which is wonderful because it looks and moves like natural hair will move. So she can tie it back when she works out or wear it down when she goes out, just as she would with her own hair. And, when hair starts growing back she can also wear it short to have different looks when she wants.
Outfit #3 – Modeled by Nancy Ryder
Nancy is wearing a bathing suit with a higher front which helps hide the port she has in her chest. The lively pattern and fun colors come in a sarong but can be worn with any solid cover-up. The sarong is nice because it also works as a wrap scarf around anything. It can go to the beach with you or keep you warm on an airplane. Add a pair of comfortable shoes and Nancy can be off to the beach or pool.
Headwear
Many women can handle the nausea and aches and pain, but for most, losing their hair is traumatic. Fortunately there is a large variety of great headwear available today. The models showed us some of the options, including:
• A fitted turban
• A fun, flirty hat. Some even have sizing drawstrings
• A flapper scarf
Where to Find Wigs, Scarves and More
All of the wigs, swimsuits, camisoles and scarves featured in the segment and more, are available at Inspiration Salon in Rockford, IL. For information on products and services available at the salon, click here.
About Terri Johnston and the Inspiration Salon
Terri Johnston is a licensed cosmetologist, and the owner of Inspiration Salon—a salon and resource center focused on women's health and wellness, with special emphasis on cancer support.
As a breast cancer survivor Terri understands the special needs of women living with cancer. She has more than 30 years of experience and extensive training in hair, breast prosthetics, and corrective makeup, and offers educational programs on these topics.
The salon offers a variety of resources for women diagnosed with cancer, including breast prosthetics, makeup, wellness products and services, and clothing items for cancer patients. The hair salon also has a special, private area for women experiencing hair loss, with custom wigs and hair pieces.
Help Make June Cancer Survivors Month
Help The Gateway make the entire month of June Cancer Survivors Month so more people can be survivors. Click here to sign our petition today.
