WASHINGTON, DC - The International Children's Advisory Network, Inc. (iCAN) in partnership with KIDS Chapter and community partner, Hope for Henry, shared a fun activity for iCAN youth members - a night with makeup. The live makeup session sponsored by the Beauty Bus Foundation (Beauty Bus) was created as a way to gather feedback from young people on the use of a make-up tutorial which will later be used for pediatric in-patients. The event, led by Carolyn Fung, Director of National Programs at Hope for Henry, provided a fun and unique way to host an interactive focus group session with kids, while teaching iCAN youth members how to apply make-up; something that many youth with chronic, rare or complicated medical conditions view as a compassionate and normalized activity to feel better while in treatment and recovery.
From the Beauty Bus website: "Beauty Bus was founded in memory of Melissa Marantz Nealy, whose life was cut short at the young age of 28 by a degenerative neuromuscular disease. Melissa became homebound as her disease progressed. In an effort to lift her spirits, her family arranged for in-home haircuts, manicures, and facials. Melissa said these treatments made her feel "human again."
The impact on Melissa's emotional well-being was profound. She felt nurtured by the beauty professionals who provided a momentary escape from her disease. Melissa’s family founded Beauty Bus Foundation in 2009 to offer this same experience of dignity, hope and respite to other families when they need it most."
Explains Claire Destrampe, Associate Specialist at iCAN, "The Beauty Bus and iCAN event was a fantastic way to spend an evening. They easily made me feel like I was one-on-one with a make-up artist at a beauty counter. I learned new tips and tricks on applying my makeup that I never would have thought of, and got some great recommendations for future products. I am so happy to have had the chance to participate in this event with Beauty Bus & Hope for Henry. I hope that more iCAN kids get fun opportunities like this in the future!"
If you would like to view more about Hope for Henry, visit www.hopeforhenry.org or to connect with the Beauty Bus, visit www.beautybus.org. To learn more about iCAN or to further be involved with our chapters, visit www.icanresearch.org. #iCANMakeADifference #iCAN #BeautyBus #HopeforHenry #Makeup #Patients #Kids #pediatrics