Pampered and Empowered: BOLD Beauty Day Brings Self-Care and Support to People Facing Cancer

The Power of Feeling Beautiful

Cancer diagnosis and treatment can have far-reaching impacts on a person’s body, mind and spirit—and a caring community is considered by many to be an essential source of emotional support. Just ask Sabrina Alvarez, BA, Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) Administrative Assistant and co-organizer of this year’s Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center BOLD Beauty Day. Participants were invited to spend a day devoted to self-care and feeling strong.

“Feeling beautiful can be especially therapeutic for people navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment,” she said. “This event allowed us to witness the joy in the faces of the participants; there is nothing more gratifying than providing relief to those who are going through this challenging journey.”
 

Beauty as Therapy

BOLD Beauty Day 2023 welcomed 39 women to the Price Center on the Einstein Campus for complimentary makeovers, facials, and hand exfoliation and moisturization treatments as well as for an opportunity to select a wig and the latest styles in fashion. GLAM4GOOD, Croom Boutique, Hair We Share, Mary Kay and SOUL RYEDERS were among the local businesses and nonprofits that donated beauty products and staffing for the event. In addition, a catered lunch, provided by the American Cancer Society, was served by BOLD interns and staff.

“BOLD Beauty Day allowed cancer patients and survivors to feel empowered and beautiful,” said co-organizer Tasmia Kabir, MPH, Data Manager/Study Coordinator, BOLD Program, Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center. “We hope and aspire to continue this tradition to bring happiness to many members of the Bronx cancer community.”

Cancer Survivor, Louise Daniel, who attended BOLD Beauty Day, echoed the sentiment, “the BOLD program made me feel beautiful and everyone here is so helpful!”

Empowering Education

Also on hand for BOLD Beauty Day were members of the Cancer Center staff, including Lindsay Pattison, third-year medical student, and Beth N. McLellan, MD, Chief, Dermatology, and Director, Supportive Oncodermatology, Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, and Associate Professor, Dermatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Information about scalp cooling, hair loss and the latest advances in cancer treatment options and preventative care was provided to participants of the event.

“As a clinician, I have seen firsthand how important it is to treat patients holistically,” said Dr. McLellan. “Medical interventions combined with emotional support is known to drive better outcomes, and BOLD Beauty Day is a perfect example of that. I’m proud to be part of such a meaningful occasion for our Bronx community.”

BOLD in the Community

BOLD Beauty Day is just one of many events and outreach initiatives organized by the BOLD staff and volunteers. The BOLD program is a psychosocial and integrative oncology initiative directed by Alyson B. Moadel-Robblee, PhD, Director, Psychosocial Oncology & BOLD Living Programs, and Deputy Director, Community Engagement and Cancer Health Equity, Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, and Professor, Epidemiology and Population Health, Medicine, Radiation Oncology, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. This outpatient wellness and support program is open to anyone affected by cancer, including Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center patients, family caregivers, and even people receiving cancer care elsewhere. Throughout the year, BOLD hosts a variety of workshops focused on the creative arts, mind-body wellness, and nutrition and fitness. BOLD also helps to run a volunteer-based BOLD Buddy system and provides access to social workers.

To learn more about the BOLD program, call 718-430-2380 or email cancersupport@einsteinmed.edu.