A Special Thank YOU to The Second Life Designers that Help to Make this entire Event Possible !

The Models are ready , The Mentors are keeping them calm *grins* ..
In the mean time The ACS Magic Make Over Team would like to give special thanks
to the Fabulous Designers that made this entire event Possible !!

What many do not understand about this amazing event is that it is truly a one of a kind most special gift to each of these good people going through a terrible illness!

Second life Clothing, Jewelry, hair and skins *smiles*is not something that many of them give much thought to, *Gasp* ! For they have come to the grid seeking support and help from a real life monster each are dealing with . So the powerful gift and kind, generous, gestures of each of these most creative shop owners are most appreciated and to be honest, each have formed a bond and customer for always on here .. How could they not ?? How could anyone forget their utmost acts of kindness!!

So for the next few days ((and after this blog is dedicated to thank each of them !! ))

Thank YOU for your kindness and generosity in making each of these folks feel a wee be brighter

and yes Lovely Indeed !!

ANEXX.::
http://slurl.com/secondlife/AOHARU2/12/124/23

Apple May
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fruitatious/129/115/40

Caroline's
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lo%20Lo/126/165/24

Cheerno
http://slurl.com/secondlife/CheerNo/141/142/26

Dellybeams Gem Gallery
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Goun/175/34/37

GANKED
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Juicy%20Mirabella/183/207/22

JeSyLiLo
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tranquillity/19/158/21

LeeZu
http://slurl.com/secondlife/To%20The%20Nines/133/129/23

MADesigns
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kmadd%20Enterprise/123/103/24

MIAMAI
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Amat/48/245/24

Musashi-Do
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eleganza/192/114/23

PurpleMoon
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Etherea/111/77/1366

sf design
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lotus/199/202/140

SLink
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sanctum/84/94/503

Step Ahead
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Skin%20Flicks/178/50/30

Apple May Designs

Apple May Designs was started as a little shop in the early months of 2007.

" Having been interested in photography and art for as long as I can remember I first started by doing several pictures for the residents of this virtual world. I quickly notice people enjoyed my work by the returning customers and vast spread of word of mouth. After a frustrating day of shopping with no success of finding what I was looking for I tried my hand at clothing creation.
My little store quickly grew, and grew, and is still growing. My goal is to bring high fashion, casual wear, as well as style that pushes the boundaries at affordable rates. My interest has grown into skin creation as I have started to crave for make up out of the ordinary.
I am thankful for every person who supports my (severe) addiction to art and fashion. For every purchase made in my store it brings a smile that someone out there enjoys my imagination and addiction to drawing. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you!"
Apple May

http://applemaydesigns.com/

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fruitatious/75/108/21/

Caroline's Jewelry
Caroline's Jewelry has timeless jewelry for everyday casual, classic, and formal wear. You'll find cameos, lockets, pearls, time pieces, fun and statement jewelry.
http://secondlife.com/destination/caroline-s-jewelry

Cheerno
This amazing creative operation can suit you every second Life avi need !!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CheerNo/131/126/27

http://www.cheerno.com/blog/

Meet the participants: Jesslyn Dagger - survivor

Today, day 3, we meet Jesslyn Dagger.

Jess was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer about two years ago when she was just 22. ‘What started as a fairly standard doctor's appointment for another, unrelated ailment revealed a tiny nodule on one of the lobes of my thyroid gland’ she says. ‘The biopsy results came back suspicious, so I opted to have the half of my thyroid with the nodule removed and tested. The results clearly pointed to cancer. I had the rest of my thyroid removed fourteen days later. Shortly after, I was given radioactive iodine to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue in my body.’

Fortunately for Jess the treatment worked and her recent tests have come back free of any signs of problems. Papillary thyroid cancer usually has a very good outlook. She now takes daily tablets to replace the natural functions of her missing thyroid gland. ‘My side effects have been minor. My hair has thinned a little, I don't always feel as sharp as I used to, and some days I would rather just stay in bed’ she says. ‘For the most part however, I feel very good, and am happy that the cancer was caught very early in its development.’

Jess has been in Second Life for three years. ‘Initially I came to SL looking for a virtual 3D chat room. I stayed because of the incredible level of freedom when it comes to being yourself and creating, well, everything. I found the SL survivors group on a random trip to the ACS island via an information sign. It took me quite a while to work up the courage to actually attend a meeting, but now I am very glad that I did.

She continues: ‘At first I was rather startled to be chosen as a participant for Makeover Magic. This past year was the first year I participated rather fully in the SL RFL weekend, walking a full lap during the survivor hour and assisting my real life family with donating just shy of $50 USD worth of track luminaries. Being a cancer survivor, I had discovered the support group and had started to go to a few support meetings. Even so, because I am so new to the ACS SL community I never expected to be chosen for anything, let alone a Second Life makeover. After the initial startle, apprehension kicked in. Being a veteran of SL and because the type of cancer I survived was "easy" to combat, I didn't feel like I deserved a makeover. After some self reflection and talking to a couple of my closest SL friends, I decided that I should not feel undeserving. I was nominated because someone felt that I was worth it, and I should honor their belief in me. Through their belief that I am worth some nice things now and then, I hope to regain some of the self confidence I lost when I heard the words "you have cancer" in late 2008.’

In real life, Jess recently moved to the southern US. ‘I miss my family in the northern US and especially my younger brother and they miss me. I visit them as often as I can manage. But becoming a survivor so young convinced me that I should make a move and spread my wings while I still can. It became a little easier to bear when I was finally able to bring my cat down to my new home in this year. He and I now live with my boyfriend of three years in a lovely suburban apartment.’

In SL her basic avatar is an anthropomorphic rabbit. ‘I love to create. Building all sorts of strange things in SL is what keeps me coming in world multiple times a week. As for what gets me out of bed in the morning, well ... I prefer to sleep in a bit if I'm allowed!’

Can't wait to see those pictures, Jess!

Meet the participants: ErosGrunk Simoni - survivor

On day two of our countdown we meet ErosGrunk Simoni who was diagnosed with a type of brain tumor mainly seen in children – a cerebellar medulloblastoma - in 1993.

Eros was 28 at the time. He had surgery at a famous institution in California followed by a full course of whole brain and spine radiation therapy. He eventually returned to work as an attorney and considered the event to be behind him.

Whole brain radiation is no longer performed routinely as it often results in cognitive and executive function deficits later on. ‘That was not known in 1993 when I had my treatment and I suppose that I was not expected to live long enough to see these effects. In hindsight, I can see that I began having symptoms earlier, but it was not until 2007 that I left work on disability. During that earlier period, I just thought I was “losing it”.

‘I’m now reluctantly at the forefront of our understanding of the brain, on the wrong side of the lab bench, and only too aware that we have little understanding of the executive dysfunctions that I exhibit and far less knowledge on what to do about them. My goal is to push the envelope forward for myself and others who will benefit from further research.

‘I am a member of the SL Cancer Survivors Group, and I am very grateful for it--more than I can convey in words. I must have searched in SL for “cancer” and I was fortunate to come across Poppy Zabelin who runs the support groups on the American Cancer Society island. This group is my anchor and I look forward to participating and sharing each and every week. I am so very grateful for this SL support community and for how robust it is. When I went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 2008 it was this group more than anyone (other than my case manager) who helped me get there and were anxious to hear from me on my return. And I am extraordinarily grateful for the experience I have in this group of truly being listened to, accepted, and helped both practically and emotionally.’

Eros has been in Second Life since 2007. ‘I attended the very first virtual Passover Seder with new friends from all over the world who, like myself, sought community. USA Today later reported that Seder as well as the SL Palm Sunday celebration. I am still connected with the Jewish Life on SL. I have friends on SL whom I have known since I began here. And I am still making more.’

When he learned that he had been chosen as a participant for Makeover Magic he says ‘I was flattered and at first a bit concerned that I might be the only Y-chromosome in the bunch. Thankfully that is not so. As the process has unfolded, and working with my mentors, I feel more and more the importance of this event – to walk proudly, bravely presenting oneself to others as a survivor of cancer and to celebrate with our compassionate caregivers and our gracious mentors. It is a public celebration of a growing community of those of us who walk forward despite what we are asked to bear, and of those who allow us to lean on them and help us continue.’

In real life, Eros now lives in Southern California and volunteers with a couple of non-profit entities while he works on his health issues. He is interested in science and medicine and innovation.

Makeover Magic on the BOSL blog

Another nice blog piece - thanks Edi and friends at BOSL!

http://thebosl.com/bosl_blog/2010/11/press-release-a-celebration-of-courage-and-caring/

Meet the participants: Cher Clarrington - survivor

In the countdown to the fashion show, we'll be meeting one of the participants each day. Today we meet: Cher Clarrington.

Cher has lung cancer which was discovered in January 2009. She says: ‘Three doctors said it was “nothing” but one super doctor pushed it and felt it was cancer and kept pushing until he got answers. They removed half of my left lung. My doctors say the prognosis is wonderful because thanks to that one doctor they caught it early.’

Cher joined SL soon after she was diagnosed after seeing a television news story. ‘I just wanted to see what all the talk in the media was about’ she says. ‘I use SL to relax and enjoy doing the things I can’t do in real life. I found the SL Cancer Survivors Group by searching for any information on cancer in SL. The support is wonderful. It’s so much better when you can talk to others who know exactly how you feel and are also going through or have gone through the same things. I enjoy the support group meetings because I would never feel well enough to go to meetings weekly in real life. The support is great. Meeting and talking with people that understand living with cancer, and after it. That’s a special bond. I also try to attend as many Relay For Life events in SL as I can depending how I feel from day to day.

‘I was very surprised to be chosen for Makeover Magic. But then I learned more about it and I’m grateful and happy. I can't thank the people on the team enough for all the hours and effort they put into this to help us participants. It also gives us time to enjoy SL, have fun and not think about the medical issues for a while.’

In real life Cher is married, in her early 50’s, and lives in the North-East USA. She no longer works due to her medical issues. What gets her out of bed? ‘My real life pets – I have cats, birds, and fish – so I have to get up and feed them! I also have an ailing mother with severe dementia, and though it’s trying cope with alongside my own issues, it forces me to move forward in life doing her errands and such.’

Thank you Cher for sharing your story.

Makeover Magic on SL Enquirer!

Woot! Makeover Magic is on the front page of the SL Enquirer this week!

http://slenquirer.com/press-release-a-celebration-of-courage-and-caring-american-cancer-soci-p1034-1.htm

Cinders and Boot on Tonight Live

Poppy Zabelin writes: Yesterday I attended the live showing of Tonight Live with Paisley Beebe where Makeover Magic coordinators Cinders Vale and Boot Janus were interviewed about the Makeover Magic program and how it relates to the real world Look Good...Feel Better program.

Radar magazine which is running an article about us in its November issue kindly released the 'before and after' pictures for display during the show. If you look carefully you can get a sneak preview of two of the participant's outfits in these shots :)

Updated November 12, 2010 - here is the link to the show on the Treet archive:

http://treet.tv/shows/tonightlive/episodes/tlpb-31oct10