On Friday, November 1, the biggest corporations in beauty—from Puig to The Estée Lauder Companies, and Sephora, along with talented executives and content creators—came together to celebrate The Mirror Ball Gala, an event created to support people with cancer through the Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) foundation. It was an evening of glitz, glamour, and generosity, emceed by Meredith Shaw, co-host of Breakfast Television. 

Cancer cases are ever-increasing, with almost 2 in 5 Canadians expected to be diagnosed this year. The Mirror Ball provides an opportunity for guests to celebrate survivors, while also raising critical funds for research and support.

Throughout the gala, guests were encouraged to participate in a silent auction for prizes, including a seven-night stay in a luxury villa in Turks & Caicos, a specially curated selection of individual vintage designer handbags (including a Valentino bag from Evelyn Lauder’s private collection), and an extremely covetable pair of floor tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Concert.

Co-chaired by Sandy Santucci of Shoppers Drug Mart and Leah Thelen of Shiseido Canada, the evening’s events started with a powerful performance from Juno Award-winning R&B singer, Jully Black. Afterward, guests were treated to a delicious meal while the live auction began. Companies in attendance were able to bid on business-related items and packages. 

Later, Verity Crewe-Nelson (who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and attended an LGFB workshop that same year) was named this year’s Mirror Ball Ambassador and took to the stage.

“I just remember that during cancer treatment, I would hate the mirror,” she says. “So, when I could look in the mirror and recognize myself, it was a gift to me and my family. I could attend my daughter’s middle school graduation feeling good. That’s what Look Good Feel Better’s workshop did for me.”

In its complimentary workshops, LGFB gives Canadians the tools and techniques to feel confident and empowered by teaching participants to manage the appearance-related impact of cancer and its treatment within one year of their diagnosis. 

The range of workshop topics include a Wig and Hair course that demonstrates various head coverings, what to consider when selecting a wig, and easy scarf-tying techniques, while a Breast Protheses and Bras course explains what to expect at a prothesis fitting and tips for where to find financial coverage. The programming provides proven health benefits to those facing all cancers, by increasing confidence and well-being, and encouraging positive self-image.

The gala came to a close with a heartfelt speech from Dee Diaz, president and CEO of LGFB. In it she shared that she would be stepping back from her role after 10 years at the foundation’s helm, due to evolving health issues. Diaz shared that during the process of her own treatment, she was again reminded just how important the work of LGFB is.

“During my treatment whenever I would talk to the doctors, I would put on lipgloss. it gave me a bit of control,” she shared. “It really is the little things that make the biggest difference.”

This year’s Mirror Ball raised more than $250,000 for the LGFB foundation.