Volunteers pamper, support cancer patients, survivors

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Velma Nichols, a breast cancer survivor of six years, gets pampered by Cora Reese during a spa day Monday morning. (Mary Kathryn Carpenter / The Natchez Democrat)

Velma Nichols, a breast cancer survivor of six years, gets pampered by Cora Reese during a spa day Monday morning. (Mary Kathryn Carpenter / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Some people feel alone and sad. Both are natural, human emotions that many people deal with, especially those with life altering diseases.

Brandi Lipsey does not think people should have to feel that way, so she decided to do something to help.

Lipsey is a nurse in Ferriday and has logged more than 500 hours working in breast cancer research.

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She spends most of her time working with women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and was brought to the realization there is little to no support for those dealing with the impact of breast cancer on their lives.

Lipsey decided to do something about it, and from that decision the breast cancer patient and survivor spa day was born.

“The least we can do is donate some love and support and help them feel like a beautiful woman,” Lipsey said.

About 15 volunteers from the Miss-Lou community gathered at the Junior Auxiliary Canteen at Duncan Park and were giving manicures, pedicures and makeovers for free to any breast cancer patient or survivor.

Stacey Love, a breast cancer patient with stage four metastatic breast cancer, attended the spa day Monday because of her relationship with Lipsey.

Love is the namesake of the Lovely Angels, a breast cancer support group organized by Lipsey as well as the only support group of its kind in the area.

“It’s a blessing that she thought that much of me,” Love said.

Love, and about 60 other women were signed up to receive some free pampering during the spa day.

As Arlene Green, one of the volunteers, filed Love’s fingernails, the women visited, laughed and had a good time.

“It’s a treat,” Love said. “It’s so nice of these girls to take time out of their busy lives to do this for us.”

Lipsey said she had no idea the spa day would become such a hit, and hopes to make it an annual event, if not bi-annual.

Before each woman left the spa day, they were asked to decorate a pink quilt square with whatever they wanted.

Some chose Bible verses while others chose to use the square as a memorial for someone who has died.

Lipsey’s mother will quilt each square together for Lipsey to hang in her office.

“When these ladies come into my office, they leave with a piece of my heart,” she said. “I wanted a little piece of them.”