Mondays at Racine

MONDAYS AT RACINE Changing the Face of Cancer... Everyday

CANCER CARE FOUNDATION

You probably know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, and although many cancers are unseen, the treatments can lead to painful side effects that can be devastating to a person’s identity and looks. In 2003, a time when the mental and emotional impact of having cancer was not deemed as important as treating the disease, Islip-based Racine Salon opened their doors on Mondays, offering free beauty and wellness services to men, women and young adults who were in treatment for any type of cancer.

THE MIRROR IS A POWERFUL TOOL

One of hardest parts of cancer treatment is getting used to looking in the mirror. The side effects of treatment can change everything: your complexion, hair, nails, eyelashes and eyebrows. Monday’s services have helped cancer patients look and feel more like themselves, which resulted in a marked improvement in their mental and emotional health. Physicians and oncologists began referring their patients to Mondays when they recognized that the mirror was a powerful tool in the recovery process.

CANCER DIDN’T STOP, SO NEITHER DID WE

“We provide the human connection,” says Karla Waldron, executive director of Mondays at Racine.

“Once you’re diagnosed with cancer, people stop touching. They don’t know what to say and they don’t know how to touch you,” she adds.

If a patient recently had a chemo port put in, has an open wound or a skin rash, the Monday’s team of professional, licensed practitioners are all trained to safely interact with them and address their specific vulnerabilities and needs.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, the Monday’s staff worked on expanding their online programs to reach as many patients as possible, prompting the creation of ‘Mondays at Home’. The Mondays at Home program offers patients direct access to on-demand videos featuring yoga, meditation, beauty, health and nutrition. Virtual workshops, one-on-one virtual With the support of the beauty and wellness industries, the Monday’s network of services currently range from appearance-enhancing to therapeutic, including: • Hair Care, Scalp and Wig Care • Makeup and Skincare • Nail Care • Massage • Reflexology and Reiki • Yoga • Nutrition Services • Meditation • Acupuncture

appointments with a nurse practitioner, and a Facebook group, Monday’s Marvels, all helped to support patients who could not leave home. Unfortunately, due to the lockdown, many people put off seeing their doctor for regular checkups and tests, and as a result cancer diagnoses have soared. And Mondays has seen a 35% increase in patient requests for services. Waldron remains undaunted by the surge of requests; it’s made her even more determined to expand services all over Long Island. With the support of New York Cancer and Blood Specialists and Northwell Health, the ‘Mondays on the Move’ program was expanded to provide therapeutic health, wellness and beauty services on-site at their medical facilities while patients are receiving treatment.

MONDAYS IS NOW MONDAYS EVERYDAY

‘Mondays Everyday’ is also addressing a large segment of our population who are living below the poverty level while undergoing cancer treatment.

Many have never experienced in-salon treatments, so Mondays is working with several partners, like YMCA of LI and Costello’s Ace Hardware, who can assist with space in local community centers in order to offer services not just once a month, but every day. “We believe there is a vital need for cancer care services in lower-income areas, ” Waldron says. She adds, “We see firsthand the impact our services have on our patients, so increasing access to them has become our primary focus, ‘Mondays Everyday’ is our mission and our mantra.

Volunteer, donate or help broaden our outreach as an integral part of our team. We are always seeking individuals who are enthusiastic about giving back to their community and who have a passion for the work of the Mondays at Racine Cancer Care Foundation. If you or anyone you know are going through cancer and would like more information, please contact us at info@mondaysatracine.org.