By Heather Collins
Rejuve Salon Spa has teamed with Hello Gorgeous! to provide a red carpet experience to women battling cancer.
Hello Gorgeous! is a nonprofit based in South Bend that partners with local salons to provide complimentary professional makeovers and cosmetic education to women battling cancer. Rejuve Salon Spa recently held its third Hello Gorgeous! event. The salon became a Hello Gorgeous! salon affiliate this year and will host 12 Hello Gorgeous! events each year.
October’s Hello Gorgeous! makeover recipient Halie Cope, 21, of Lebanon said it was a welcome surprise.
“Initially going into this experience, I thought I was getting my nails done with my mom,” Cope said. “Once I walked in the door I was greeted by the Rejuve staff with flowers and them saying, ‘Hello, gorgeous.’”
Cope was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in January and went into remission in May. During treatment, Cope said she lost all of her hair, including her eyelashes and eyebrows.
“I wish there were more salons doing this,” Cope said. “While fighting cancer, you seem to lose little pieces of yourself along the way and what seems like your womanhood.”
Cope received a large bouquet of flowers from Zionsville Flower Company, a new outfit from Maurice’s and spa services including a facial, manicure, pedicure and hair and makeup services from Rejuve Salon Spa. After the make-over, Cope had a complimentary meal at Stone Creek Dining with friends and family.
All services are complimentary.
“It definitely does make you feel beautiful,” Cope said.
Cope said she was blown away by the kindness of the staff at Rejuve Salon Spa, which is on Michigan Road near the Carmel/Zionsville border.
“You could genuinely tell that they love doing this program and shedding a light to a life that maybe has been lacking that light,” Cope said.
Cope was nominated by her mother, Kim Gentry.
“I simply nominated Halie because she is my hero,” Gentry said. “Halie has been through so much in her young life, and the grace she has always carried is amazing to me.”
Hello Gorgeous! serves women newly diagnosed with cancer and up to six months post-treatment. To nominate a woman for a Hello Gorgeous! makeover, visit hellogorgeous.org.