Why I offer Clarice's Room of Hope
In September of 2008 I lost my mother, Clarice Tisher, to Acute Leukemia. As she prepared for chemotherapy treatments, she was told she would lose her hair. At the hospital for her treatments, we asked about where we might go to find assistance with wigs, etc., and they referred us to the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation in Fort Smith, Arkansas. We were able to visit the Reynolds Foundation because our hometown of Mena, Arkansas is only 75 miles south of Fort Smith. Upon arriving at the Reynolds facility we were greeted with open arms and friendly faces eager to help. Mother spent an hour or so trying on wigs, hats, and scarfs and was treated like a queen! The smile on her face was priceless, and that was the happiest I had seen her in a while. Mother and I talked all the way home about how Mena could use something similar to what Reynolds had to offer. Mena is secluded from where many women go for treatments, and it becomes an issue physically and financially for many of them to travel back and forth to larger cities for care and support. I made a promise to my mother that I would work on providing services similar to the Reynolds Facility in Mena for cancer patients. Unfortunately, my mother didn't live to see this happen, but her memory lives in me, and her passion will help me see this through.
After losing my father to Alzheimer's disease in March of 2009 and following the tornado in April of that same year, Michelle Ross of The Look Salon in Mena offered me a space to store wigs and to also continue my 31 year career as a cosmetologist. I began work on my project, and it became a non-profit organization in 2012. At this time, the services I can offer are limited due to inventory and funds. However, with God’s support, a promise I made to Mother, and my passion and determination, I am confident this service will grow bigger and better. I have now helped over 50 women as they deal with the effects of cancer treatment. Cancer is very devastating, and if through my service I can give someone their smile back, it is all worth it!
Teena Brown
After losing my father to Alzheimer's disease in March of 2009 and following the tornado in April of that same year, Michelle Ross of The Look Salon in Mena offered me a space to store wigs and to also continue my 31 year career as a cosmetologist. I began work on my project, and it became a non-profit organization in 2012. At this time, the services I can offer are limited due to inventory and funds. However, with God’s support, a promise I made to Mother, and my passion and determination, I am confident this service will grow bigger and better. I have now helped over 50 women as they deal with the effects of cancer treatment. Cancer is very devastating, and if through my service I can give someone their smile back, it is all worth it!
Teena Brown
Located at 403 N. Morrow St. Suite C ~ Mena, AR ~ 479-385-5071
