“Here’s what I love—I love this brand, they’ve taken my heart,” says Julie Bach.
Bach, the founder and executive director of the charity, Wellness for Cancer, is referring to her partnership with global skincare brand Biologique Recherche. The French beauty giant has partnered with Wellness for Cancer, and they’re about to roll out specialized face and body treatments for cancer patients and survivors worldwide. Treatments will be available in the States and in France as of June—and there are ambitious plans to expand to more than 70 countries.
Last September, Bach flew to Paris to meet with Biologique Recherche chairman Rupert Schmid and team. For years the brand has provided treatments to its clientele with cancer, and has had a community outreach program with their Paris flagship Ambassade de la Beaute—but they wanted to delve deeper to figure out how to offer each guest who was battling cancer meticulously adapted treatments. According to the brand, 10 percent of its client base is touched by cancer—and that number is expected to increase. “This partnership is a crucial step for those dealing with cancer and their physical and psychosocial side effects,” states Bach.
The icing on the cake? For those who cannot afford the treatments, Biologique Recherche has partnered in each country with an NGO that will deliver the same treatment to people who cannot afford it—at no cost.
“The main idea is that we want to welcome the guests who have cancer in the same way that we welcome usual guests,” explains Schmid. “All Biologique Recherche partners should do so—and never again turn anyone down!”
Nor do they want to offer only one specialized body treatment and one facial treatment to cancer patients and survivors. So they worked closely with Bach to adapt each treatment, as well as the products used, to guests who have cancer—taking into account the type of cancer, its treatment, and surgery. “People who suffer need us to take care of them more than anyone else,” Schmid says. “Now it will be possible, after the trainings delivered by Wellness for Cancer, all over the world!”
The icing on the cake? For those who cannot afford the treatments, Biologique Recherche has partnered in each country with an NGO that will deliver the same treatment to people who cannot afford it—at no cost. According to Schmid, this is already in place in New York City.
“With the help of Wellness for Cancer, we are bringing to market something that should have been done a long time ago, bringing wellness and beauty to those who need it most, and to those who cannot always afford it,” says Schmid. “Through this partnership, we are adapting our methodology and personalized approach to globally offer spa benefits to those who have been touched by cancer.”
As announced today, they are “rolling out comprehensive training programs inclusive of repeatable and standardized processes not only to ensure that services adhere to Biologique Recherche’s meticulous protocols, but that training offers the ability for therapists to personalize each client treatment.” Bach believes that it’s imperative to see individuals beyond diagnosis or situation, and to focus on providing a personalized treatment for every person, no matter their current situation.
This partnership is welcome news for the spa industry—one that is often viewed as too focused on just the outward appearance of health and beauty.
“What I enjoy most about Biologique Recherche is that they are consciously aware,” says Bach. “They understand that the reason they’re in business is to do social good, and that money flows through them to do good. I’m hoping they’ll show the [spa and wellness] industry what it means to be socially responsible.”
Adds Schmid, “All of this would not have been possible without Julie’s strong commitment and support. We have invested time and money, but what she has done has no price.”
Mary Bemis
Mary Bemis is Founder & Editorial Director of InsidersGuidetoSpas.com. She is a pioneering spa journalist, most recently honored by Medika Life as one of the "Top 30 Influential Voices Transforming Wellness." She is an inaugural recipient of Folio's Top Women in Media Award, and was honored by ISPA with its distinguished ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award. In 1997, she launched American Spa magazine, and in 2007, Mary co-founded Organic Spa magazine. A pioneer in the sustainable spa and beauty worlds, Mary is co-curator of Cosmoprof North America's Discover Green Pavilion. She is a Global Wellness Day Advisor, and a co-founder of the Washington Spa Alliance.
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