Contributors to the by sarah Evert
arlene Gardner specializes in caring. At her two Lovely Lady locations in Cary and Smithfield,
in every community there are individuals, organizations, groups and businesses whose
Community
passion to make a difference takes them beyond the expected in their service to others. We honor them by sharing their stories.
Lovely Lady: D
she assures that cancer patients receive the care they need during this difficult time. Darlene was inspired to work with cancer patients in the 70’s, when her best friend was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, she was a nursing student working in an oncology ward in Califor- nia. “You know, things were so different then. We didn’t have the information we have now.” Darlene began providing prostheses
and wigs for women in the oncology ward. “I opened a tiny place, and it just grew, and before I knew it I was doing this.” While her stores offer an assort- ment of items, they also serve as centers for information and support. Lovely Lady is arrayed with fashionable wigs, hats, scarves, jewelry, and more. They also offer prostheses and do customizing of swimsuits and bras. Darlene stresses how important
it is for each woman to take time for herself. She understands each indi- vidual is unique and has special needs, and strives to learn how she can best accommodate those needs. “It’s about listening to each client and providing personalized care. A life altering diagno- sis is frightening. If a visitor to the shop receives good information that makes
12 NA Triangle
www.natriangle.com making a Difference in the lives of others
a difference in someone’s life, then we have accomplished our mission.” Darlene has been at her Cary
location for more than two decades, and provides services to more than a thousand women each year. Most of the women who work at the stores are cancer survivors. Clients often refer to them as “the light at the end of the tun- nel.” They have experience and can offer suggestions to women going through treatment that enable them to do it in a healthier manner. “We’re open six days, and we have
appointments every day. That’s how
busy we are; that’s how much cancer there is.” Darlene feels her life has been enriched by her work: “I feel every day that each of the women who cross my threshold is blessing my life. I am a total stranger and they come in here and we become friends, we really do. And we know each other for years. And that’s what’s really nice.”
Darlene Gardner can be reached in Cary, 919-469-4688, at 404 East Chatham Street and in Smithfield, 919- 934-2960, at 101-1E East Market Street.
www.lovelyladyonline.com.
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