CAPE ELIZABETH – Polly Potter, a licensed cosmetologist and owner of Polly’s Haircare Center in Cape Elizabeth, was recently recognized for her longtime dedication to the American Cancer Society as a volunteer for its “Look Good…Feel Better” program.

She has also spent several years lending her expertise to cancer patients at her beauty salon to help them deal with appearance-related side effects of treatment.

The 57-year-old South Portland resident is one of six people from Maine this year to receive the Sandra C. Labaree Volunteer Values Award from the New England Division of the American Cancer Society.

Aside from owning and operating her salon on Scott Dyer Road in Cape Elizabeth, which is in its 33rd year in business, Potter has spent nearly 20 years volunteering her time for the American Cancer Society. She became a “Look Good…Feel Better” area trainer in April 2007, and according to her nomination letter, she has “been instrumental in helping to train new volunteer facilitators and mentor them as needed.”

According to an announcement from the American Cancer Society on July 9,“the Sandra C. Labaree Volunteer Values Award recognizes and honors those volunteers whose actions and service in the fight against cancer most exemplify the American Cancer Society’s organizational values – Mission, Data-Driven, Diversity, Respect and Stewardship.

“These awards are very special reminders of the power volunteers have to save lives and reduce suffering from cancer,” it reads.

Recipients of the award are named in honor of the late Sandy Labaree, an American Cancer Society volunteer from Maine and founding member of the New England Division Board.

Nicole Heanssler, an account representative at Hospital Systems for the American Cancer Society in Topsham, and Diane Yazwinski, a volunteer for “Look Good…Feel Better” from Yarmouth who received the award last year, co-nominated Potter for this year’s Sandra C. Labaree award.

“Polly is committed to making a difference for those affected by a cancer diagnosis, not only through our mission delivery programs but by using her voice,” according to the nomination letter. “She was part of our advocacy efforts in the past and most recently visited with Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office on behalf of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to discuss the importance of cancer research funding.”

Potter is well known in oncology programs and communities throughout southern Maine “for her willingness to welcome anyone into her beauty salon, Polly’s Haircare Center, to help guide them in the steps leading up to hair loss and choosing a wig,” according to the letter.

In 2006, she was awarded the prestigious “Look Good…Feel Better” Sunrise Award for her exceptional service through the program.

American Cancer Society records last year indicate that through November, 198 Maine residents attended a “Look Good…Feel Better” program session and that 139 wigs were provided to cancer patients.

In Cumberland and York counties, where Potter mainly volunteers, 43 wigs were distributed through “wig banks” and wig fittings in its volunteer wig-fitter salons, including Potter’s.

She recently took the time to answer some questions from The Current about her involvement with the American Cancer Society and how she hopes to continue to help others affected by cancer.

Q: How does it feel to be one of six Maine residents to receive the Sandra C. Labaree Award?

A: I feel very honored to receive this award. I do not do this for the awards, but it is an overwhelming feeling to know how much I am appreciated. I am totally flattered.

Q: What types of volunteering do you do?

A: I’ve been to Olympia Snowe’s office as a representative for the American Cancer Society, to help people understand what the American Cancer Society is and its importance. I also go around to beauty schools in southern Maine and invite them to come and join us at the “Look Good…Feel Better” program and to get involved in the program. I have been all over southern Maine teaching both the volunteers and hands-on classes for the patients.

Q: What is the “Look Good…Feel Better” program?

A: The program is designed to help cancer patients take care of their skin, nails and hair. We teach them about the use of head coverings, scarves and hats. We talk about wigs. American Cancer Society provides wigs for cancer patients who cannot afford them. I fit the wigs (to the patients) and cut and style them. I am also a trainer for other volunteers for the program. I plan on continuing to do the program for as long as I can.

Q: In what ways have you been affected by cancer?

A: I have lost many family members to cancer including my husband. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and he died in 1992. He had been misdiagnosed and was treated for something else for a year and a half. When he finally got his diagnosis it was another year and a half before he passed. And I have to tell you, watching someone, even just going through treatment or dying from it, is something you can’t do anything about. I’ve had so many people I’ve loved in my life that I couldn’t do anything for.

So when I do my “Look Good…Feel Better” program, I feel so good because I can do something to help. That is one of the reasons it is so important to me.

Q: How do you help people choose wigs?

A: I have a wig bank in my shop with wigs that have been donated to the American Cancer Society. People come in and I fit them for the wigs. They tell me some idea of what they’d like to have. We go through and see if I have anything, and if not, we go through the books and choose something that will fit for them.

Q: Can you tell us about the statewide impact your work has had on individuals with skin/appearance-related side effects due to cancer treatment?

A: It helps people to understand how to take care of their skin and the changes in their skin when they are going through the chemo and radiation. We have free beauty kits that are donated to the patients and teach them how to use the products that are in there. We teach them different side effects and how to take care of their skin. We find most people enjoy coming to the classes because they meet other people who are going through the same thing they are.

Q: What specific things are taught in the classes for patients who are dealing with appearance-related side effects from cancer treatment?

A: The changes in the skin, moisturizing, how to apply make-up and the reasons you don’t use certain things such as false eyelashes. We get into a little bit about nails and problems people can have and how to take care of it. Things to discuss with their doctor like nail polish; many women have artificial nails. We do not recommend them to people going through chemo because of the fact it could permanently damage the nail bed, and the bacteria. The most medical thing we say is to contact your doctor. We are not there to answer any medical questions.

Q: Where are classes held?

A: Classes are held all over the state of Maine, but the one I am most involved with is the Cancer Community Center in South Portland. Sometimes we have large classes; sometimes we have small classes. The largest one I ever did was with three other volunteers. There were 29 people in the support group. It was a lot of fun and everyone leaves feeling really good.

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A CLOSER LOOK

For more information on the “Look Good…Feel Better” classes at the Cancer Community Center in South Portland at 778 Main St., visit www.cancercommunitycenter.org.

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From left, Polly Potter’s niece Rianna Russell, Potter, her co-worker and friend Nancy Anderson, and her sister Becky Russell, at the Relay for Life of Greater Portland event at South Portland High School track on June 21, where the Sandra C. Labaree Volunteer Values Award was presented to Potter.