Look good, feel better

The project, which is also offered at other hospitals in Israel, is the brainchild of Hillel Yaffe employee Irena Abramov, who worked long and hard to get it up and running, after she her self survived cancer. Ms. Abramov contacted Prof. Meir Oren, Director General of the hospital, which led to a meeting with Miri Zv, Director General of the Israel Cancer Association. As a result, the project went live with the help of the social welfare service of the Oncology Unit.

Alina Fischensohn, a social worker in the Oncology Outpatient Department and Deputy Director of the hospital's Social Work Division, said that the objective of the project, which is expected to run next year as well, is to improve the oncology patients' treatment experience in the hospital and, consequently, improve their quality of life.

"The basic assumption," said Fischensohn, "is that all of the women receiving chemotherapy will feel a little better after receiving a personal beauty treatment, given while they are hooked up to the IV and having chemotherapy."

Makeup artist Ditza Katzir from Caesarea is in charge of the beauty treatments at Hillel Yaffe. She herself fought breast cancer twice and is currently a volunteer for the Israel Cancer Association. "The second time I was diagnosed," she said, "I decided to become an ambassador of hope and counsel women who are fighting cancer."

An art therapy project has been launched in the Oncology Outpatient Department, under the direction of Dr. Katrina Schulman. Art therapy responds to the needs of all oncology patients who need emotional support and strength while receiving chemotherapy. The treatment is provided privately by an art therapist, to improve patients' psychological resilience, and is sponsored by the pharmaceuticals company Roche.

Dina Katzir providing a beauty treatment to a cancer patient