Helen was originally certified as a health practitioner in the UK and has been practicing for over 30 years in the wellness industry. In Cayman, she is a registered massage therapist by the Council for Professions Allied with Medicine (CPAM).
When did you get involved with BCF’s Wellness Program?
From the beginning (8 years ago) when it was named the Wellness Initiative and I was also part of BCF’s first Wellness Retreat at the Ritz-Carlton. During the early days, I would visit breast cancer patients in the hospitals during their medical treatment and represented the wellness program. I became a familiar face with the doctors and nurses and signed up ladies to the Wellness Program then brought forms back to the team at the foundation. Perhaps you could say I acted as a facilitator and liaison to implement the Wellness Program.
I initially offered a mobile salon service to breast cancer patients at the hospitals from Health City in East End to CTMH/Doctor’s Hospital and H.S.A in George Town. I joined the foundation to support their efforts to implement the Wellness Program and to help raise awareness of the benefits available to breast cancer patients.
The Wellness Program grew and to facilitate the increase in appointments, we moved them to the Avec Moi salon located close to the foundation. I still do home visits sometimes, but hospital visits stopped during Covid.
What services do you provide and why do they help?
We provide nail treatments to help ladies with side effects from chemotherapy such as discolouring when the nails blacken and sensitivity when they weaken. We apply organic polish products, and we know to use dark colours to protect nails from the sun.
Our wellness treatments include body and scalp massages to help alleviate aches and pains and improve circulation, especially during chemotherapy. We also provide neuropathy for fingers and toes, and exfoliation for dry skin during chemotherapy.
Our Avec Moi team fits and cuts wigs, shaves hair, and sends hair to cancer societies in the U.S., and we do eyebrow stencils when they have lost their hair.
Can you tell us about a memorable experience as a BCF Service Provider?
Many ladies use their wellness treatment as an opportunity to talk and I enjoy getting to know them. I find myself listening to their concerns and advocating for them when needed. I still act as a facilitator between the foundation and the ladies to ensure they are benefiting from the Wellness treatments.
Each person I meet through the Wellness Program is courageous and inspirational. They are close to my heart and their breast cancer journeys helps put life into perspective (don’t sweat the small stuff).
I would like to pay tribute to our friends we have lost to breast cancer. They will remain dear to me, and I will never forget them.
What are your tips for our breast cancer patients, survivors, and thrivers?
Self-care is needed during their breast cancer journey. Therapeutic treatments can give you a feeling of well-being, a sense of normalcy and can make you feel good. Our ladies leave my salon feeling happier and more confident compared to when they stepped in.
An interesting fact about you?
I’m spiritual and religious and have a strong sense of purpose to help others. The Wellness services I provide breast cancer patients help alleviate aches and pains and give them normalcy during such a challenging time.
I participate in charity fundraising walks and runs in Cayman and bring the Avec Moi team with me. We participate in the Lion’s Club Brenda Tibbetts-Lund walk, Cancer Society’s Stride, Breast Cancer Foundation’s Light Up The Night, and we also take part in the St. Baldrick’s head shave.
