In celebration of Look Good Feel Better’s 25th year in Canada, we’ve named 25 Heritage Heroes who have helped the charity make it to 25 inspiring years of helping women and teens with cancer feel like themselves again, or currently play an important role and provide a powerful voice to keep the program alive for years to come.
Each of our 25 Heritage Heroes – one for each year of our program – exemplifies the very essence of Look Good Feel Better’s mission to empower and support women with cancer.
Everyone knows Darlene Olsen – at least anyone from the Mary Kay or Look Good Feel Better communities.
The 20-year Regina-based LGFB volunteer is the epitome of a Heritage Hero – she not only dedicates her time to helping women and teens with cancer feel like themselves again, but has raised more than $200,000 for the cause through various fundraising initiatives over the years.
Darlene doesn’t like to talk about her successes, though.
“I just want to help these women and I don’t want anybody to notice,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t do it for me, I do it for everybody else.”
“It’s really rewarding to help other women, to be at these workshops and help them and see the difference it makes.”
Darlene has witnessed the impact of the program countless times, which is what inspires her to go above and beyond her duties as a volunteer and organize these annual fundraisers.
While she’s raised an impressive amount over 20 years, her events also serve to raise awareness.
“When patients are at the cancer clinics, they don’t pay attention to the program brochures – they have so much else on their mind,” said Darlene. “I host these fundraisers and events to make people aware that Look Good Feel Better is right here in Saskatchewan, so if someone’s loved one unfortunately receives a diagnosis, they’ll remember my fundraiser and say, ‘Hey, let’s check out Look Good Feel Better.’”
Darlene’s annual fundraising event Creative Tables is Oct. 12 in her hometown of Arcola, Saskatchewan – and the event is already sold out!
