Beauty, Fashion And Publishing Industries Unite To Celebrate 25 Years Of Support For Women With Cancer At Annual DreamBall

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Personal Care Products Council Foundation and The American Cancer Society announced today the details for the 30th annual DreamBall, to be held on Tuesday, September 23^rd at Cipriani, 42nd Street, in New York City.  The annual DreamBall gala benefits the American Cancer Society, as well as the Personal Care Products Council Foundation for the Look Good Feel Better program, the only free, nationwide program dedicated to helping cancer patients address the appearance side effects of treatment thereby boosting their self-esteem and confidence.  Now in its 25^th year, Look Good Feel Better is offered through a collaboration of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation (PCPCF), the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Professional Beauty Association (PBA).

This year's DreamBall celebrates 25 years of Look Good Feel Better and honors a diverse group of men and women for whom cancer, beauty and wellness, and the Look Good Feel Better program have a special meaning.  The program honorees include Margarita Arriagada, beauty industry veteran and Chief Merchant for Sephora and Dr. Mehmet Oz, three-time Daytime Emmy® Award-winning host of the three-time Daytime Emmy® Award-winning "The Dr. Oz Show,"  Cardiothoracic Surgeon and best-selling author who advocates wellness and caring for the whole patient from the inside out.  This year's "DreamGirl" honoree is Samantha Harris, a cancer survivor, entertainment correspondent, and former co-host of Dancing with the Stars.   

Margarita Arriagada has been a force in the beauty industry for more than 30 years. Under her direction since 2004, the merchandising programs and product selection at Sephora have revolutionized the beauty industry.  Prior to joining Sephora, Ms. Arriagada led product development and held global leadership roles for LLADRO USA and Bullocks/Macy's West.

"As a destination where women and girls come to discover beauty, we at Sephora understand the power and importance that beauty plays in our everyday lives," said Ms. Arriagada.  "When I attended a Look Good Feel Better workshop, I saw that power magnified many times over.  The way that women are transformed, not just physically, but emotionally is a powerful testament to the work that Look Good Feel Better does every day and the importance of this program to millions of women facing cancer treatment."

Dr. Mehmet Oz has been shaping the healthcare conversation in America since his first appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2004.  His advice on wellness is followed by millions each day through his own television program, The Dr. Oz Show; his Dr. Oz the Good Life magazine which debuted in February 2014, his best-selling books, Sharecare.com which he co-founded in 2010, and his numerous appearances, articles and commentaries on the most pressing healthcare issues of the day.  A cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Oz is vice chair of the Department of Surgery and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University.  He also directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complimentary Medicine Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

"As human beings, we have the incredible capacity to tap our resolve and change our circumstances based on how we feel," said Dr. Oz.  "That comes into sharp relief during a Look Good Feel Better workshop.  To see women start a session somewhat resigned to their current situation and, just two hours later see them transformed physically, as well as emotionally: energized, smiling, ready to beat cancer - the change in circumstance was noticeable. I am honored that Look Good Feel Better asked me to be a part of this celebration and humbled at the experience of spending the day with such an incredible group of volunteers and workshop participants."

In addition to the honorees, DreamBall will celebrate "DreamGirl" Samantha Harris, a fixture on broadcast television for more than a decade.  A child of a performing family, Samantha found her way to Broadway and eventually Hollywood as a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight" and the very popular co-host on "Dancing with the Stars" where she garnered two Emmy nominations over eight seasons.  Samantha will share the story of her breast cancer diagnosis, her brave decision to undergo a double mastectomy, her recovery, her new initiative to help people find the positive in negative situations, and her experience participating in the Look Good Feel Better program.

"Being diagnosed with cancer was an eye-opening experience, not just medically, but socially.  So many people I knew, but never knew had cancer came to me to share their story as a way to encourage me," explains Samantha. "As survivors, as friends and family of people with cancer, as women, we need to share more, connect more, to tell more people about amazing programs like Look Good Feel Better.  So they will know they are not alone. So they will understand that they aren't the only one. So they can find a glimmer of hope, a small positive in the midst of all the negative.  It is a great gift to be able to provide to someone."

"We only get to celebrate turning 25 once," said Louanne Roark, Executive Director of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, which originated Look Good Feel Better and is a recipient of the DreamBall proceeds.  "The DreamBall is a culmination of a year's worth of programs and activities inviting people to Reimagine Beauty in support of Look Good Feel Better.  Inviting people to take stock in what beauty means to them and to truly understand the power and important role that beauty can play for women with cancer; helping them feel strong and in control and giving them back a small slice of normalcy in a life that is not very normal. We are thrilled to honor Margarita, Dr. Oz and Samantha, and so grateful for the continued support of so many in the beauty and fashion industries."

"A chief aim of the American Cancer Society is to measurably improve the quality of life of cancer patients with innovative programming," said Kris Kim, Executive Vice President of the American Cancer Society. "Look Good Feel Better is testament to how comprehensive cancer care goes far beyond medicine. We thank this year's DreamGirl, our Dreamball honorees and most especially, the beauty and fashion industry, for its stalwart support of a program that transforms patients inside and outside."

For the fourth consecutive year, the DreamBall will be immediately followed by DreamBall After Dark, a special After Party aimed at engaging the next generation of philanthropic leaders within and beyond the beauty industry in support of the Look Good Feel Better program.  Guests will enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction and music. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance at www.thedreamball.org, and all proceeds benefit the Look Good Feel Better Program and the American Cancer Society.

For ticket information, please visit www.TheDreamBall.org, email [email protected]  or call 212-237-3896

About Look Good Feel Better
The Look Good Feel Better program is a collaboration of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, a charitable organization established by the Personal Care Products Council, the leading national trade association representing the global cosmetic and personal care products industry; the American Cancer Society, the nation's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to saving lives from cancer; and the Professional Beauty Association, the largest organization of salon professionals with members representing salons/spas, distributors, manufacturers and beauty professionals. For more information about Look Good Feel Better free workshops and other services available across the country, visit www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org.

The Personal Care Products Council Foundation is a charitable organization established in 1988 by the Personal Care Products Council to develop, fund and direct the Look Good Feel Better program. In addition to the U.S. Look Good Feel Better program, the Personal Care Products Council Foundation oversees a global network of 25 licensed affiliates that deliver Look Good Feel Better support programs in countries across the globe.  Collectively the 26-country network has served more than 1.5 million people living with cancer on six continents since the program began in 1989.  Look Good Feel Better® is a registered trademark of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation. 

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we celebrate our 100^th year of service, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227 2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

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SOURCE American Cancer Society