Breast cancer survivors share their stories in new calendar

HOUSTON – A local salon treated survivors of breast cancer to a makeover and photo shoot Sunday in the hope of raising spirits of women diagnosed, as well awareness about the potentially deadly disease.

Venita Graves runs Beauty Beyond Breast Cancer, an organization that makes free custom wigs for women being treated for cancer. The organization sponsored a photo shoot Sunday. Pictures from the shoot will be used in the organization's annual calendar featuring survivors.

"We like to capture a moment in their survivorship," said Graves, who is also a breast cancer survivor.

Participants gathered at Salon Park Meyerland on South Post Oak for the shoot. Jewel Worthy expressed her excitement over being part of the project.

"In 2012 I was first diagnosed with cancer and got a lumpectomy," Worthy said.

Worthy was diagnosed again in 2015, but said she is currently cancer-free.

According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, more than 40,000 women will die of breast cancer this year. Often, those diagnosed feel alone, Graves said.

"We lose our hair and go through treatments, and sometimes it takes away from how we feel about ourselves," Graves said.

This is the second year Beauty Beyond Breast Cancer has produced a calendar. Proceeds will be used to continue to make wigs for women in need. Worthy said she looks forward to sharing her story of survival with others.

"Just to be able to help you through on those rough days when you try to figure out why," Worthy said.

Graves echoed Worthy's sentiment.

"It may be a while before they can eradicate or find a cure for cancer, but we certainly want you to look and feel beautiful," she said.

To learn more about Beauty Beyond Breast Cancer, click here to visit the organization's website.