Zoie Moore felt “genderless” after losing her hair during cancer treatment.
But the young woman from Sylvania Waters decided she would not let the absence of her favourite physical feature stand in the way of recovery.
Ms Moore was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at age 17. Rather than fall into a slump, the now 19-year-old turned her experience into an opportunity, to help other cancer patients feel more confident through the power of make-up.
She was one of five national finalists to secure a $3000 scholarship from Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream. Now in its sixth year, the scholarship program encourages teens and young adults to pursue their education, career or life dreams that have been sidelined because of undergoing cancer treatment.
Ms Moore used the funds to support her studies at The Institute Group, and trained as a hospital volunteer in giving sick children a welcome make-over.
“I want to give that precious feeling back to others because I understand where their headspace is,” she said.
“At the time [of my diagnosis] I looked very genderless from the chemotherapy and felt as if I had lost my identity, which was mortifying because your identity means everything to you as a young girl.
“I had the longest, blondest, straight hair. It was my favourite feature on my body. I took so much pride in it.
“The day that Napoleon and MAC volunteers came into the hospital to do our makeup is one I’ll never forget – I felt beautiful.
“When you walk into an oncology ward, everyone looks the same – white, pale and bald. It made me feel unhappy.
“But the make-up artists made us feel incredible and brought us a small moment of normality away from the horrors that we were enduring each day.”
