EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso Community College (EPCC) Cosmetology and Nail Tech Departments hosted their annual Power of Pink event to provide local cancer survivors beauty makeovers.
According to the news release on EPCC, the cancer survivors were treated to hairstyles, makeup and nails, all done by students, followed by free professional pictures, snacks and gifts by sponsors.
Phyllis Davis, a cancer survivor who has been battling the illness for 35 years and counting, says to look towards hope.
“You have to live one day at a time, and when everything else is taken away, there’s always hope. I’m amazed that I’m on medication (for cancer) and it’s the last one out there and then the next year, something else comes along. So, there’s always hope in the future that new medications will work,” Davis said.
Blanca Herrera, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, advises those on the same journey to be positive.
“Think positive all the time, never stay down. Never stay at home if you can go out. If I can make it, I will make it. You just have to think positive, positive, positive. We can survive this,” Herrera said.
Cecilia Dominguez, a coordinator for the EPCC Cosmetology Department, says the Power of Pink event means a lot more to both the students and the cancer survivors.
“It’s an awesome event, I can honestly say, because we’re talking with people who have been through a lot. So, to me, it’s awesome. I feel like the students engage with it and it actually gives them practice with the hair and the makeup, so it helps them get hands-on,” Dominguez said.
EPCC partnered with the University Medical Center of El Paso, Providence, Del Sol Medical Center, William Beaumont Breast Cancer Awareness Program and the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation for the event, according to the news release.
In addition, EPCC said its Cosmetology Department will take part in a kickoff party on Sept. 6 at Tenet Healthcare, where the photos will be showcased at all local hospitals in the community. The kickoff party then leads into October for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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