Beyond Beauty: How Look Good Feel Better Is Transforming the Cancer Journey

As National Nonprofit Day approaches on August 17, it’s the perfect time to shine a light on the organizations making a profound difference in people’s lives. For more than 30 years, Look Good Feel Better has been doing just that—empowering Canadians facing cancer with free workshops that go far beyond skincare tips. Through compassion, community, and confidence-boosting tools, this remarkable nonprofit helps participants feel supported, seen, and strong at every stage of their journey. We sat down with CEO Susan Larkin to talk about the impact of their work, the evolving needs of those they serve, and why emotional well-being is just as important as physical health. —Noa Nichol

Look Good Feel Better has been serving Canadians for over 30 years—how has the organization evolved to meet the emotional and psychosocial needs of cancer patients today?

We originally offered only our signature in-person workshops, helping women facing cancer learn to manage the appearance-related impacts of treatment.  In recent years, we have grown significantly, expanding our services to offer a variety of programs offered both in person and online, making support more accessible to people across the country. We have  workshops that focus on the unique needs of teens, post-treatment nutrition, advanced skincare, but skincare & shaving. The common thread is that they all provide psychosocial support helping individuals feel like themselves again, regain confidence, and connect with others going through a similar experience. 

National Nonprofit Day shines a light on the often-unseen work of charitable organizations. What do you wish more people understood about the behind-the-scenes challenges—and rewards—of running a nonprofit like yours?

The backbone of our programs are our volunteers. They are an incredible group who deliver the curriculum with expertise, warmth and compassion.  We receive so many incredible messages from workshop participants sharing how much that extra smile meant to them.  Across the sector volunteerism is in a decline at the moment, so we are working to share the stories of our volunteers and how fulfilled they feel after every workshop.

Can you share a moment or story from your time at Look Good Feel Better that powerfully illustrates the impact these workshops have on individuals navigating a cancer diagnosis?

People come to our workshops looking for advice and solutions to very practical problems – but what they aren’t always expecting is the connection. So often we will see a woman who is further along in her treatment plan offer support to someone else just starting.  But not only does the person new to treatment feel supported, but the other will share how good it made them feel to help someone else.  It really is a full-circle moment.

How do you ensure that the programs you offer remain relevant, inclusive, and supportive across such a diverse range of experiences and cancer journeys?

We make it a priority to listen to the people we serve. Feedback from our workshop participants, volunteers and network of healthcare professional partners help guide how we shape our programs. We aim to offer something for everyone, recognizing that each cancer journey is different. By providing options in both in-person and online formats, and by tailoring workshops to different age groups and genders, we strive to make everyone feel welcome and supported.

In a health care system that often focuses on physical treatment, how important is it to advocate for emotional and psychosocial care—and how does your organization help fill that gap?

Emotional and psychosocial care plays a key role during treatment and beyond. Cancer can change how people feel about themselves and how they see themselves in the world. Look Good Feel Better helps fill that gap by offering practical tools and emotional support to help people look, and more importantly, feel more like themselves again. Our complimentary workshops also provide a space where people can learn, share, and connect with others who understand what they are going through, offering a circle of care that we know is critical for any cancer journey.

Funding and visibility are often uphill battles for nonprofits. How can Canadians best support organizations like Look Good Feel Better, not just on National Nonprofit Day but year-round?

Canadians can support Look Good Feel Better in many ways. Our website, lgfb.ca, is a great place to start, whether someone is interested in becoming a volunteer, making a donation or learning more about the work we do. By spreading the word, volunteering time or contributing financially, Canadians can help ensure that more people have access to the support they need during cancer treatment.

As a woman leading a national nonprofit in the cancer care space, what personal values guide your leadership—and what advice would you give others hoping to make a difference through purpose-driven work?

At the core, our workshops and programs are about building community and empowering our participants – and those same values guide us as an organization from our Board, the volunteers, our team and my own personal leadership style. To make a difference through purpose-driven work, the value alignment is key.   

What’s next for Look Good Feel Better? Are there any new programs, partnerships, or priorities you’re especially excited about in the coming year?

This fall, we are piloting a new workshop on caring for nails during treatment. Nails are often impacted by treatment but medically-approved information can be hard to find, which is why we are very happy to have an Onco-Dermatologist lead these sessions.