Bunnies spread Easter cheer to cancer patients

18 Apr, 2019, 9:19 am24 Apr, 2019, 5:46 pm Sarah Mason beauty products, cancer, cosmetics, donation, easter, good360, makeup

Westmead Hospital Foundation director Joe Conneely was happy to be “head bunny” and deliver cosmetics to patients receiving treatment for cancer.

In her own words, it’s been a long journey for Susan – but a simple gift brought a smile to her face on Wednesday.

She recently completed six months of chemotherapy and four weeks of daily radiation treatment for a fast-growing breast cancer.

So it was some eyeliner, eye shadow and a make-up bag that had her smiling at Westmead Hospital’s Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre (CPMCC).

“You accumulate a lot more expenses than usual while receiving cancer treatment, so makeup is a luxury at the bottom of the list,” Susan said.

“It’s something you put aside but you do want to look good. So it was really, really nice to see people come around at Easter time with these gifts.

“They were really happy and chatty and lightened the mood here.”

Westmead Hospital Foundation, the fundraising arm of Westmead Hospital since 1990, was handing out the pamper products to patients receiving treatment in the CPMCC, the Breast Cancer Institute at Westmead, and Women’s Health wards. The pleasant surprise followed from well-received donations last Christmas.

Westmead Hospital patient Rosa Sciamanna and her partner Giuseppe DeBernardis were delighted with the gifts.

Working with Good360, an organisation which redistributes brand new excess stock and ‘ends of ranges’ at a heavily discounted cost to charities, Westmead Hospital Foundation weas able to pass on the items worth over $6,000 to patients.

CPMCC nurse unit manager Noeline Rozanc said there is evidence that women who undergo cancer treatment and suffer hair loss may feel vulnerable and lose their self-confidence.

“Make-up or beauty and skin products can help restore some of that confidence and self-esteem,” Ms Rozanc said.