BEAUTIFUL APPLICATION
KATHLEEN DUDDING (68) MAKES UP BEAUTY KITS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
‘I faced cancer with confidence’
Bright lipstick – it’s been my trademark all my life. When I was working in my first job as a hairdresser, I always wore a bright pink or coral lippie, and people would often comment on it. Even as a full-time mother, I would feel like something was missing if I left the house without my lipstick when I was out with my two daughters.
It’s a little uncanny that I now choose lipsticks that I hope will empower women when they are going through cancer treatment.
For almost 20 years I have worked for Look Good Feel Better. I say work, but really I have volunteered, initially as a make-up artist at the classes and then in the warehouse, where I have helped compile personalised make-up kits for the hundreds of women who attend a class each year. We put together a full selection of makeup for participants – anyone undergoing treatment for any cancer, at any stage, can attend. We pack up around 100 kits a week and they are sent all around the country.
Classes provide an opportunity to relax, feel special and do something that will empower them to face cancer with confidence. And it helps them feel like they are a person again, not just a patient going through treatment.
Look Good Feel Better also helped give me my confidence back last year when I went through cancer treatment. I thought I had a hernia by my navel and I was sent for tests – the ultrasound pulled up far too many dark areas and I was told there and then that I had ovarian cancer. I had treatment every three weeks – three lots of chemotherapy – then I had a major operation, then three more rounds of chemo. It seemed to wipe out my year.
The class helped me from behind the scenes.
Having volunteered at classes, I knew how to apply make-up – that was the ‘look good’ bit. But the ‘feel better’ came from the ladies I work with. We’ve worked together for years, a couple have been there more than 20 years, others 15. So I stayed in touch with them during treatment, and my wonderful husband
Paul would drive me to the warehouse and I would pack the kits when I felt well enough. It helped me feel normal.
Lipstick was always my secret weapon. I put on make-up every day. It helped me face the day. You look at yourself and you’ve gone bald, you don’t feel feminine. Put on make-up, put on that bright lipstick and you feel good. I would go in for chemo and all the nurses would comment on how I looked. You do need to dress for comfort, but I always wanted to be wearing a bright lipstick. It made me feel so much better.
I made the decision early on that you don’t have to be miserable when you have cancer. I thought, ‘I am going to beat this.’ I never cried about it. I never felt sorry for myself.
I have two grandchildren,
Lily and Spencer, and I am determined to see them live their lives. So I just fought it.
Now through treatment, I have my energy back and get to spend time with my lovely grandchildren and I now pack at the warehouse every Thursday.
I have always been a people person – working at my husband’s real estate company’s reception. I’ve just turned 68 and hope to keep volunteering at the warehouse for many more years.
But the greatest job of all has been a full-time mum to my girls, and being able to look after my grandchildren and see them growing up.”
As told to Hayley McLarin