Woman helps cancer patients gain confidence

Jeanie Pearson is a pro at tying scarves.  As a previous cancer patient, she has dedicated most of her life to helping other cancer patients feel better about herself. 

Pearson encourages her past and former students to take part in the Locks of Love program, which donates hair to cancer patients, and now the teacher took up an initiative in the Look Good…Feel Better program through the American Cancer Society.

The program, which is offered once a month at local hospitals, helps women cancer patients gain back their self-confidence through scarf wrapping and cosmetic skin treatment seminars.

In February, several former students at Milton High School and the school’s Student Government Association came together to hold a bake sale to raise money to buy scarves for the program.

“At these programs, I show women how to tie scarves,” Pearson said. “Once I’ve taught them, we leave the scarf with them so they can have it.”

In 2009, Pearson wore a scarf everywhere she went after being diagnosed with stage one lymphoma cancer. Since her recovery, she has a full head of hair and is continuing to teach women cancer patients how to feel good about themselves during their treatments.

“I talked with the SGA students at Milton High and they thought it was a good idea to raise money for the cause,” Pearson said.

Sierra Black, a freshman SGA student got with other members of the SGA and held a bake sale to try to raise money for the cause.

“We put on a bake sale in February,” Black said “We got close to $200.”

That $200 was able to buy 35 scarves for Pearson to use.

The Berryhill teacher said she also promotes the program at a number of local churches, and uses the donated money to put towards the purchasing of scarves.

“I go around to a lot of the local churches and just try to make people aware of the program,” Pearson said.

Although this was her first time going through a school to raise money, she said she would continue to promote the program.

“I know I can be a voice for cancer patients that don’t feel well enough to help out other patients,” Pearson said. “I do this for the patients to help build their self confidence.”