Women plan makeover day for young female cancer patients

Four women sit sprawled across a six-seat table in a tiny café, planning what they hope is a self-esteem building event for young female cancer patients.

With Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children's Cancer and Hematology Clinic by their side, the four women are planning a makeover day for 40 to 60 girls 18 years old and younger on Feb. 7. It will consist of makeup, jewelry, dress up for the younger set, possibly a runway and other activities. But the group is learning fast that resources and reality might put a damper on their big plans.

As they sit planning more logistics for the event, coordinator and Mission native Denisse Cantu just received her first donation, a box of costume jewelry. It came as a result of a simple MySpace bulletin she posted on her personal page.

If all goes perfectly, they would have a lip gloss, eye shadow, bracelet, nail polish, other small accessories and refreshments for every girl, plus wigs for those who need them.

But all that will require many more donations than a single box of jewelry.

"We always wanted to do something like that but we always got caught up in our lives," said Tatiana Castillo of McAllen. "I think all of us, in college or earlier we were very involved in volunteering and stuff like that but grew up a little bit, got into our careers and never did anything any more."

Mayte Garrett of Mission signed to get involved on with a charity project where her wallet wasn't doing all the participation.

"I've done other stuff in town where they tell you to go to a meeting and penalize you for not going to a meeting, but then ... it's never hands on. You just write a check," Garrett said.

By the end of the meeting, they have done their best to come to terms with reality. Maybe not every girl will have a wig, but they can at least have a bag of beauty favors. But even with reality now in focus, they can't help but dream big; they want the event to be a small uplift for the girls who come to them for a makeover.

For Garrett, the event is about understanding that the patients, though ill, are at the core just average young girls.

"Even as a (healthy) person, I look at myself in the mirror every day and find something I criticize, so I can't imagine with all the problems they have," Garrett said. "Every girl goes through the same thing."

The group is not an organization, though Mission native April Chapa said she plans to explore that avenue in the coming months.

They are not yet accepting monetary donations. People with donation items or offers of assistance can contact Cantu at (956) 984-9864.

Sandra Gonzalez covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4427.