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Queen for a Day exists to raise the self-esteem and self-confidence of girls with cancer. We execute this mission by hosting parties at cancer facilities and giving the girls manicures and makeovers. The unique characteristic of QFAD is that every girl receives her own tiara! These tiaras have been donated by title holders throughout the nation. Each girl is dressed in a pink fur-trimmed robe and given a bouquet of roses for a special Polaroid picture that she can take home with. We do not discriminate on the basis of age and have crowned girls from 17 months of age to 21 years old.

Most people assume that putting makeup on these girls and proclaiming their beauty encourages self-evaluation through outer beauty. However, by taking this direct approach to their self-esteem issues, we teach them to overcome physical insecurities rather than distracting them from their situation. Research has proven that positive attention, as given through QFAD parties, can improve the physical condition of those with illnesses - including cancer. Even family members who attend benefit from the party. Mothers see their daughters as little girls, not children sick with cancer. We also include siblings of the cancer patients in the makeovers and manicures. Many times, siblings can be overlooked while the family tends to the needs of the cancer patient.

The most rewarding aspect of QFAD is witnessing the smiles and laughter that, otherwise, rarely escape from girls dealing with a traumatic illness. I will never forget Jalisa, one of our first "queens," who indulged in red cherry lipstick, then kissed everyone on the cheek leaving bright pink lip marks. When she died a few months later, the picture I signed was still hanging on her wall. Rhanda, our first queen, has survived her cancer and continues to enjoy life. Other fond memories include Amanda, a 19-year-old in Miami. At the party, we gave the girls pink feather boas, pearl necklaces, and long white gloves. Amanda wore a shirt that read, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful," and wrapped a boa around her face and head. She then proceeded to dance around the room, entertaining the younger participants. Many girls lose friends because of their situation. Most people whose friends become sick do not know how to handle the situation. Therefore, not only do girls who are ill suffer from low self-esteem because of their looks, but they also are affected from losing their social life. QFAD strives to provide a time where they can forget about treatment, needles, and loneliness. While we cannot guarantee a cure for depression, we are there to shower them in positive attention and to create happy memories to sustain them through these hard times. One purpose of giving them the tiara is to provide something tangible with which to remember the day. Whenever they have hard times, they can simply put on the tiara and escape from their troubles into a world where they rule - a world where they each are "Queen for a Day."

Jenna Edwards, founder