Cancer patients get confidence and a big smile with these ’empowering’ henna crowns

Cancer patients get confidence and a big smile with these ’empowering’ henna crowns

You’re always more prepared to face challenges when you have a reason to smile; confidence is big too. And one artist is providing both of these powerful things to cancer patients who need a little boost.

When Magalie Lameloise was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time at the age of 40 she knew she would face a series of challenges.

One of them was going through chemotherapy and losing her hair, and also explaining that to her young son.

“I didn’t want my son Ben to feel ashamed about me losing my hair,” Ms Lameloise said.

“So I explained to him that losing my hair is a good thing, it means the medication is working.

“Since that we have always been laughing about it, which made the journey much easier for me.”

Ms Lameloise also found comfort in an unexpected way after hearing about a woman in her home town of Port Macquarie, on the New South Wales mid-north coast, who was offering free henna crowns to cancer patients.

“When I heard that a lady was doing henna for free, for women going through chemo, I decided to give it a try,” she said.

“The experience was great. I felt pretty being bald.”

Enjoying giving cancer patients a reason to smile

Ms Lameloise received her henna crown from Jigna Chauhan, who goes by the nickname Sonu, and runs a brow and body art salon in Port Macquarie.

Ms Chauhan said she started offering henna crowns as she wanted to help women who had lost their hair during cancer treatments feel good again.

“I found after doing henna crowns all the women had beautiful smiles on their face. I love to do this to make people happy,” she said.

“I found that after losing their hair so many women wear a scarf to cover their head. I started by doing a henna crown for a friend and she was very happy. That’s what inspired me,” she said.

“After having a henna crown done, people don’t have to wear a scarf again.

“They are happy with their designs, and say people are stopping them and asking ‘where did you get them done? They look so beautiful’.

“I am so proud that I am part of these women’s journeys and to give them that beautiful smile and more confidence.”

Ms Chauhan said she had been working with henna since she was a small child.

“I have been doing this for many years, since I was little. I am from India and this is my cultural thing,” she said.

“I make fresh henna, because that’s best for sensitive skin.”

A sense of empowerment

Wendy Wilkinson also received a henna crown from Ms Chauhan and decided to include an empowering message about ‘kicking cancer’.

Her aim was to get people talking in a positive way and to avoid feeling like a victim.

“I felt pretty special when I got my henna crown — a sense of empowerment in a way because I really was kicking cancer’s butt,” Ms Wilkinson said.

“I’d like to think I might have inspired other women to embrace their baldness too.”

The CEO of Cancer Council Australia, Professor Sanchia Aranda, said henna crowns were a great idea.

Ms Aranda said cancer treatments often resulted in hair loss and weight gain, which could affect women’s self-esteem and body image.

“Henna crowns are one new thing in the range of programs that can help women,” she said.

“We’ve had things like ‘Look good, feel better’ for many years that help women with make-up and scarves, and how to make themselves feel attractive, and henna crowns are a great addition to that mix.

“It creates a fun and positive conversation with children in particular.

“I think it’s important for women to be able to express not only how they are feeling, but also put out positive expressions. That this is something that we are going to get through.”

Henna crown photo receives public support

Ms Lameloise’s henna crown received plenty of positive attention.

A photo taken of Ms Lameloise with her crown, captured by her son Ben, went on to win the People’s Choice Award in a Your Health National photographic competition, run by the Mid North Coast Local Health District.

“This whole experience has been such an incredible adventure for [both my] son and me,” Ms Lameloise said.

Source ABC


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