WNCC pampers cancer survivors with free treatment

The Western Nebraska Community College cosmetology department was plastered in pink on Thursday in honor of cancer survivors being treated to a free spa day. Laughter trickled out of the pedicure room and into the department's hallway as the survivors laughed and joked with one another. The mood was bolstered by the positive messages from the students to the cancer survivors spread over white boards, posters and mirrors.

"They're just loving it," said Alice Macht, cosmetology instructor at WNCC.

Macht, a cancer survivor herself, coordinated the event wherein WNCC cosmetology students provided attendees with a spa pedicure, spa manicure, facial and scalp treatment all free of charge. This is the first time WNCC has hosted such an event.

"I just thought it would be great to give them a day for relief and relieve their stress for the day," Macht said. "It's fun talking to all of them. Because we had it, so we all have a story. It's been awesome."

The department was busy all day with the 18 women who took advantage of the free treatments at the hand of the seven students who did the work. There was a waiting list for appointments. Those who got the chance to experience the spa day were grateful for the event.

"It's fabulous," said Gretchen Boling of Chappell. "Every woman needs a treatment like this."

Some of those attending had never experienced the services offered at the event. Jody Smith, who came to Sidney from Oshkosh with two friends to take part in the spa day received her first pedicure and manicure. Smith said she had fun at the spa day and that the student who completed her treatments did a great job.

"It was very relaxing," said Michelle Cook of Oshkosh.

Many of the ladies agreed that one of the most beneficial parts of the day was simply talking with one another about their battles with cancer. Everyone's experience with the disease is different, Macht said. Some of the ladies were still fighting it.

"I just think it's great just to see other people and how they came through it," she said.

Because Macht is just one year removed from beating the disease, she found inspiration in ladies who overcame cancer long ago.

"The director of our campus is 24 year out, so that's really amazing," she said.

The day was a good way for survivors to take their minds off their trouble, said Cyndy Bolton of Oshkosh.

"Like you want to forget you had cancer for a day," she said.

Bolton enjoyed visiting with the other cancer survivors and sharing stories with them. It's not that other people don't want to hear the stories that she and other survivors have to tell, but that people who haven't gone through it don't know what to think, she said.

"It's very heartwarming to hear their stories," Macht said.

Macht hopes to hold another event in October during cancer awareness month. In addition to the spa treatments, cancer survivors received goodie bags and were provided refreshments from the cosmetology department. Sidney floral donated flowers for all the ladies who came to the spa day.