Mendez was one of 10 City of Hope Orange County patients who received a complimentary beauty makeover and custom wig fitting at Marybelle’s Boutique, a healing space and full-service salon designed to make cancer patients feel more like themselves. The boutique inside City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center in Irvine is part of City of Hope’s commitment to caring for patients mind, body and spirit.
“Today helped make me feel like myself once again,” said Mendez, wearing a bobbed wig shaped to her features. “I don’t just feel beautiful on the outside, but inside as well. It means a lot to me to share this day with other patients who are in the midst of their cancer journeys, and I am so grateful to City of Hope Orange County for all they do for their patients.”
The day of beauty — called “Beauty in Hope,” was made possible by Juliette McKenzie, a City of Hope donor who had benefited from the boutique’s services when she was a patient.
“We’re celebrating the beauty that hope can provide,” said Annette M. Walker, President, City of Hope Orange County. “At City of Hope Orange County, we recognize that cancer affects the mind and spirit as well as the body. We place a lot of emphasis on making sure our patients feel cared for every time they walk through our doors. We believe comprehensive cancer care extends beyond advanced treatments and technology to support and heal the whole person.”
For the women, there were tears of gratitude as makeup artists chose lip colors that complimented their skin tones and were fitted with custom wigs.
For grateful patient Rachel Dumaine, the best part of the day was seeing herself transformed. “I looked like myself again,” she said. “I haven’t seen me in the mirror for a very long time.”
At Marybelle’s Boutique, Elly Garcia, an oncology-trained cosmetologist with expertise in wig styling, skincare, scarf tying and more, works one-on-one with patients to help bring them emotional and psychological healing.
“It was beautiful to see the connections being formed and how a shared experience like this can make the journey much less isolating. The transformation in our honored patients — not just in appearance, but in their confidence, energy and self-assurance —is amazing to witness,” Garcia said.
The boutique offers City of Hope Orange County patients a range of specialized services and products in a warm and welcoming environment, including:
- Customized fittings for wigs or breast prostheses
- Complimentary head shaves
- Two private dressing rooms where patients can try on post-op mastectomy bras and camisoles
- A retail section that sells hats, scarves, non-toxic nail polish, aluminum-free deodorant, and other accessories and personal care items.
Mendez expressed deep gratitude for the way City of Hope Orange County cares for its patients and for the expertise and compassion of her physician, Joshua G. Cohen, M.D., who treated her for endometrial cancer.
“I hope you never have to be in this situation but if you do, come to City of Hope,” Mendez said. “They will give you your life back. They will give you that hope that you need to guide you through some of the darkest times in this journey.”
When it comes to cancer in Orange County, it’s Hope First. Call 888-333-HOPE (4673).