Walgreens has announced the launch of Feel More Like You™, a first-of-its-kind pharmacy, health and beauty service available at no cost to help people living with cancer manage the medical and physical changes associated with cancer treatment. Walgreens created the Feel More Like You service to meet the increasing needs of people impacted by cancer to learn, understand and manage the side effects of treatment from experts who can provide informed and meaningful guidance and care. The national launch at more than 3,000 Walgreens stores follows a successful 100-store pilot program that began in spring 2018.
“Cancer treatment impacts many aspects of patients’ lives, from side effects such as nausea and fatigue to distinct changes in physical appearance, often impacting their self-esteem and confidence,” said Rina Shah, PharmD, vice president of pharmacy operations and specialty at Walgreens. “Through support from Walgreens expert pharmacists and our specially-trained beauty consultants, the Feel More Like You service has the power to positively affect millions of Americans whose lives are impacted by cancer every day.”
Feel More Like You was developed in collaboration with Look Good, Feel Better Foundation, the leading cancer support organization focusing attention on the appearance and beauty needs of cancer patients, and Cancer Support Community, the largest professionally led, nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide.
More than 12,000 Walgreens pharmacists have received special training to recommend over-the-counter products to help manage treatment side effects such as skin rash, increased fatigue, mouth sores and dry mouth. This specialized pharmacy expertise becomes even more powerful when offered with the more than 3,000 Walgreens beauty consultants trained to manage the physical changes associated with treatment such as the loss of eyebrows and eyelashes and dry hair, dry skin and discolorations, sunlight sensitivities and changes to nails and cuticles.
“We are pleased to work with Walgreens on this important initiative to bring further and needed support to cancer patients directly at their local pharmacies,” said Louanne Roark, executive director of the Look Good Feel Better Foundation. “Our organization pioneered training techniques to help cancer patients manage the visible side effects of treatment, so the opportunity to train thousands of Walgreens beauty consultants was something we were eager to support.”
As a pharmacy-led health and well-being company, Walgreens understands how the power of empathy can positively influence a patient’s treatment and recovery. The pharmacists and beauty consultants that are part of the Feel More Like You service have completed empathy training from Cancer Support Community to enhance the level of emotional support they can provide during interactions with individuals with cancer.
“During our 37-year history, we’ve made it our mission to create and support programs that meet the needs of people impacted by cancer. We deliver these services at 175 locations, online, and through a helpline,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community. “With the launch of Feel More Like You, people impacted by cancer will have additional in-person, patient-focused resources at a time when many are looking for personalized oncology information and emotional support.”
Walgreens continues to build its leadership in health care by taking a comprehensive approach toward supporting cancer programs, including working with organizations that advance research, expand prevention programs and assist people living with cancer. Feel More Like You further demonstrates Walgreens mission to champion the health and wellbeing of communities across America and builds on Walgreens partnerships and commitments to raise millions of dollars each year for organizations such as Susan G. Komen®, Stupid Cancer and LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).
For those who have been affected by cancer or know someone who has, Walgreens encourages them to become part of the Feel More Like You conversation by visiting www.walgreens.com/FeelMoreLikeYou. Additional resources are available such as beauty tutorials and other digital content, including the national television commercial featuring Walgreens patients showing how they Battle Beautifully.
