Cancer patients receive a makeover experience

Last week, City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center hosted a powerful “Beauty in Hope” experience for 10 cancer patients, in which they were given free wigs, professional makeovers and a day centered on restoring confidence and dignity during cancer treatment.

Last year, Maura Quiroz, a 56-year-old mother of three, received the life-changing news that she had cervical cancer. Her gynecologist recommended she seek treatment at City of Hope, where Dr. Josephine Kim performed surgery. 

The road to recovery was challenging, requiring Quiroz to spend three months in bed following her surgery. She later underwent chemotherapy and successfully completed her sessions. Now, as she continues her fight against cancer, she is preparing for the next phase of treatment, radiation therapy.

Quiroz was one of the many women selected to attend the “Beauty in Hope” experience. She described her transformation as beautiful. “I’m grateful to the people who chose me. I’m also very grateful to the hospital, because everyone has been so kind from the moment I arrived until now. It really is an excellent hospital in every aspect,” she said.

Hair loss is often one of the most visible and emotionally difficult side effects of cancer treatment. Quiroz experienced that firsthand, as she underwent her chemotherapy treatment. 

“Losing my hair was the hardest part. It was long and almost down to my waist,” she said. “ It was a really awful trauma, because when I combed my hair after the second chemo session, it got all tangled. I knew at that moment what was coming soon.” The change affected more than her appearance. It also served as a constant reminder of the challenges she was facing.

One day, after stepping into the shower and combing her hair, Quiroz watched it begin to fall out. The experience was surreal and deeply emotional, turning the reality of her cancer diagnosis into something she could physically see and feel. “All my hair just came out. It clumped up into a ball, and that was the saddest part but I think I’ve come to terms with it now,” she said. 

Quiroz shared with CALÓ News that she does not get ready or wear makeup on a daily basis, making her “Beauty in Hope” makeover a dramatic transformation. From the wig fitting to the professional makeover this experience allowed her to see herself in a new light and helped restore her confidence during treatment. 

“I felt very pretty and it was great not seeing myself bald anymore; I felt like a real person and I was super happy to see myself with hair. It was a really lovely experience,” Quiroz said. She also shared that outside of this experience she doesn't wear a wig but just a headscarf.

Annette Walker, president of City of Hope Orange County, said creating experiences like “Beauty in Hope” is essential because a cancer diagnosis affects far more than a person’s physical health. It also impacts their emotional well-being and mental health, making it important to help patients feel confident, supported and cared for throughout their treatment journey.

Each year, the event is held at Maribel’s Boutique, a dedicated resource location that is open daily for cancer patients. The boutique provides a range of supportive services, including bra fittings, makeup, hair styling and wig assistance, helping patients feel comfortable and confident.

With support like this, City of Hope aims to approach the whole person's cancer care. “Spiritual care is extremely important to us. We have different strategies and different facilities to deal with that, but this particular event is centered on providing physical comfort for patients because it's not just how you look, but it's how you feel,” said Walker.

During the event, Walker shared that she hears a lot of positive feedback from the patients as they receive their transformations and that several of the women also get emotional.  “I think for some of them it might have been a while since they felt really good about themselves and so to get a professional to do your makeup and to do your hair is like a really special treat for them because it's not a common thing that's provided to a lot of cancer patients,” Walker said.

Despite the challenges of treatment, Quiroz said she draws strength from the people she loves the most. “My children, my grandchildren and for myself too,” she said. “I want to give it my all, and I just have to keep moving forward and not give up. There is a solution for everything. We are in very good hands at the hospital. I know it’s not easy, Chemo is very difficult, but with courage, strength and by putting everything that we got. We will not let this disease defeat us,” Quiroz said. “Anything is possible when you think positively.”

That determination, fueled by her family and her own perseverance, continues to guide her through each stage of her cancer journey.