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BUSINESS BEAT: Victoria Shoppers Drug Mart employee hopes to inspire cancer patients

Look Good Feel Better campaign supported by Greater Victoria stores
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Shoppers Drug Mart cosmetician Doris Arzethauser went through treatment for breast cancer

Shoppers Drug Mart cosmetician Doris Arzethauser has a very personal reason for getting behind the national Look Good Feel Better campaign, which aims to help women manage the effects of cancer treatment on their appearance and morale.

Arzethauser has endured a partial mastectomy and radiation therapy for breast cancer. Now in remission and back to work at the Douglas Street branch of Shoppers, she hopes to pass along positive messages about dealing with the disease during the Holiday Snowflake gala fundraiser this Saturday (Nov. 16) at her store.

“I have always felt that Shoppers Drug Mart’s support of the Look Good Feel Better program was extremely important,” Doris said. “But now it has taken on a different meaning for me because I can add something of myself to the events and touch people in a different way.”

Customers at Shoppers stores around the province can take in the Holiday Snowflake event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The $10 ticket, $5 of which goes to Look Good Feel Better, includes makeovers, skincare consultations, refreshments and snacks.

The event is open to anyone, not just women going through cancer treatment. Local Shoppers stores hosting the galas are on Fort Street, Douglas Street, Hillside Mall, Uptown, Royal Oak Plaza and Esquimalt Road.

Many familiar names on top employer list

The list of 50 Best Employers in Canada, published recently by employer research firm Aon Canada, shows a number of companies doing business in Greater Victoria. Topping the list is digital communications firm Cisco Systems, which operates an office at the Vancouver Island Technology Park in Saanich. Many well-known national and international firms operating here are also on the list, such as McDonald’s (#10) and Federal Express (#13). But some more localized companies also made the cut, such as Island Savings (#49, fourth straight year on list), Keg Restaurants (#16) and Vancity Credit Union (#31). See the full listings, as well as other rankings, at http://bit.ly/HLosAL.

Urban Barn donating blankets to Cool Aid

Urban Barn in Uptown is once more accepting donations of cash and turning that into warm blankets to be donated to the Victoria Cool Aid Society. Starting Friday (Nov. 15) and running through Dec.8, for every donation of $5, the furniture and home fashions retailer will pass along one of its fleece blankets to the shelter provider. The initiative involves 40 Urban Barn stores in Western Canada. The goal is to give away 10,000 blankets.

Women in Business draw winner flying

Debra Simpson is up and away with Pacific Coastal Airlines, after winning round-trip flights for two between Victoria International Airport and Vancouver South Terminal. Simpson, who works at Arbor Memorial funeral services, won the flights at Black Press’ Women in Business gala Oct. 22 at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

Send your business news to ddescoteau@vicnews.com.