A First for Central New Jersey: One-of-A-Kind Shop Caters to Cancer
Patients' Unique Needs
SOMERVILLE, N.J., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The opening of a first of
its kind specialty boutique in Central New Jersey represents a new and
unique place to help meet the needs of patients who are living with cancer.
It was tough enough for Jane Haszko to face the prospect of losing her
hair as a result of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. But finding a
wig to help her maintain her normal appearance was even more difficult.
Haszko, of Bridgewater, still recovering from her lumpectomy at
Somerset Medical Center and fatigued by her chemotherapy treatments,
traveled across Central New Jersey to four different beauty and wig shops
until she could find one that matched her thin hair and fit her small head.
She found limited selections and in some cases, sales staff who were not
very knowledgeable about cancer patients' needs.
"I knew that within three weeks of starting chemotherapy, I would lose
my hair so I felt pressure to find something quickly," Haszko said. "But I
was so tired from my treatments that even short trips to go shopping were
extremely exhausting."
Cancer patients like Haszko no longer have to trek from store to store
to find wigs and other specialty items they need.
The new sanofi-aventis Wellness Boutique at The Steeplechase Cancer
Center at Somerset Medical Center, which opens Sept. 29, offers a full
range of image recovery items for cancer patients and an experienced staff
who understand cancer patients' unique needs and concerns.
A certified fitter, who has 25 years of experience working with cancer
patients, helps patients select wigs and prostheses. The store's selections
include skin care products, cosmetics, headscarves and swimsuits and
lingerie specially-designed for women who have undergone breast cancer
surgery.
The boutique -- the only one of its kind in the Central New Jersey
region -- was made possible through a significant donation from
sanofi-aventis U.S. to Somerset Medical Center Foundation.
"We are extremely grateful to sanofi-aventis U.S. for their generous
support which will enable us to make a tremendous difference in the lives
of our cancer patients," said Katrina Losa, RN, MSN, director of The
Steeplechase Cancer Center. "Our goal is to help patients look and feel
their best. When they feel good about how they look, they are more likely
to maintain a positive attitude, which is so important to their recovery
process."
"Sanofi-aventis believes in making a positive and long-term impact in
the community by working with organizations that take innovative approaches
to health issues," said Ann Isom, director of U.S. philanthropy and
relationship management for sanofi-aventis. "We see the Wellness Boutique
as a unique way to make a positive impact on the lives of cancer patients."
The boutique was designed with input from cancer survivors, including
Haszko, who will be assisting patients with their purchases as a volunteer
in the store.
"This is going to be so wonderful for cancer patients in our
community," she said. "It offers one-stop-shopping in a beautiful
environment and will be very convenient for patients to get what they need
in between their radiation therapy, chemotherapy treatments and doctor
appointments."
"I wish this boutique was around when I was diagnosed with breast
cancer - it would have made the whole ordeal so much easier," added Susan
Caden of Bridgewater, who found it very uncomfortable to be the only bald
person in a beauty salon looking for a wig.
Caden, who is now a volunteer at The Steeplechase Cancer Center, says
it is important for cancer patients to not only have access to medical
services to address their physical needs, but the support services,
complementary medicine and image recovery items that are key to patients'
mental health.
"It is so exciting to me to see everything together under one roof in
such a marvelous facility so close to home," she said.
The sanofi-aventis Wellness Boutique is located on the lobby level of
The Steeplechase Cancer Center at 30 Rehill Avenue in Somerville. Free,
convenient parking is available. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday. For more
information or to schedule a wig or prosthesis fitting, call 908-927-8779.
For directions, visit steeplechasecancercenter.com.
Sidebar:
Sanofi-aventis Wellness Boutique Grand Opening Events
Tips from a celebrity makeup artist, skin care and wig demonstrations,
giveaways, raffles and special discounts will mark the grand opening
celebration for the sanofi-aventis Wellness Boutique at The Steeplechase
Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center.
Events include:
-- A ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 29. Shoppers get a
special 20 percent discount between 10 a.m. and noon and may enter a
special raffle for a gift basket valued at $200.
-- Makeup tips from Ramy, renowned makeup artist to celebrities and models
such as Renee Zellweger, Halle Berry and Barbara Walters, from 12 to 3
p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29. One lucky shopper will win a free makeover.
Ramy, whose "Minimum Makeup, Maximum Impact" philosophy and
innovative beauty products have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show,
will also sign copies of his latest book.
-- Wig and head covering demonstration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday,
Sept. 30.
-- Bra fittings by a certified prosthesis fitter from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 1. Appointments are required by calling 908-927-8779.
-- Skin care demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2
-- Bra and prosthesis demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct.
3
Somerset Medical Center is a nationally accredited, regional medical
center providing comprehensive emergency, medical/surgical and
rehabilitative services and a broad range of community programs to Central
New Jersey residents. The medical center is a major clinical affiliate of
the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School and a clinical research affiliate of The Cancer Institute of
New Jersey.
SOURCE Somerset Medical Center
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Related links:
http://steeplechasecancercenter.com
CONTACT:
Kathleen Roberts, +1-908-595-2319
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