Patients who wander into the boutique at the Peter and Paula Fasseas Cancer Center Clinic can find products and get services specific to their needs. But the shop offers something special that money can't buy — friendly faces and sympathetic ears from staff who have had a personal experience with cancer.
The Healing Spirit Boutique was part of the master plan when the old Tucson General Hospital building became the clinic at UMC North. The center opened in 2006.
Adaline Klemmedson, vice president of administrative and corporate relations for University Medical Center was instrumental in helping the boutique become a reality. "When we were building the cancer center, I spearheaded the design of the boutique," she said.
A boutique in a cancer center is nothing new. "We wanted to have a one-stop shop at the cancer clinic for patients for wig fittings, prostheses and mastectomy bras — things that are going to make a cancer patient feel good about themselves," she said. Proceeds from the sale of items cover the cost of running the boutique, and profits go into a patients' assistance program, said Klemmedson.
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Manager and buyer, Elise Webber, divides her time between the boutique and the gift shop at the main hospital. Assistant manager Mercy Munoz is at the boutique full time.
The boutique is the feel-good area of the cancer center, said Munoz, 47. She lost her godfather to liver cancer in 2005. "If I can bring a smile to someone who is not feeling well, my day has been fulfilled," she said.
Webber, 47, also had an experience with cancer. "This is a healing place for me because my husband had pancreatic cancer," Webber said. "He passed away three and one-half years ago. Many of our volunteers are survivors."
Eight to 10 volunteers round out the staff. "These volunteers are just fantastic," Webber said. "These people have big hearts."
Volunteer Laurie Cuoco, 38, is simpatico with the patients who shop at the store. Cuoco was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. "I got back from my second tour of duty in Iraq and found a lump in my right breast," she said. "I had a very aggressive form of inoperable breast cancer." Cuoco underwent 18 months of chemotherapy and two surgeries. She has volunteered at the shop for more than a year.
"The wigs are really nice," said Cuoco. "When I got my wig, I looked like Loretta Lynn."
A selection of try-on wigs and the small separate wig salon exist via the generosity of a local hair salon. "They did not have anything like this when I was sick," Cuoco said.
The room was a shell when Jana and Frank Westerbeke, co-presidents of Gadabout SalonSpas, set out to turn it into a private, well-appointed space for wig fittings and stylings. Jana Westerbeke said the salon is a way for Gadabout to give back to the community.
"My husband Frank, who does all the implementation of the designs for the salons, and his father, Frank Westerbeke Sr., put the space together," she said.
Gadabout has several hair technicians trained in helping patients coping with hair loss and adjusting to their new look. "One hair technician is so inspired that she is on call to help style a wig or help with hair- related problems," Westerbeke said. Wigs start at $90. The fittings and stylings are free.
Janet Isquith, 61, volunteers twice a week. In 2003, Isquith was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. "I was lucky," she said. "It was highly operable."
Isquith said she hopes patients find some peace when they walk into the boutique and find "someone who looks you in the eye and sees that you exist."
The store also offers fittings for breast prostheses. "Eighty percent of the staff is trained to fit prostheses," Webber said.
If you go
What: The Healing Spirit Boutique
Where: 3838 N. Campbell Ave.
Phone: 694-1814.
Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Want to volunteer? Call the manager of University Medical Center volunteers, Cynthia Bendele at 694-6706.
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