Face2Face Healing Aiming To Help, Support Facial Disfigurement Patients

click to expand

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - For people dealing with disfigurement, life can be especially challenging.

But, a local non-profit is trying to help.

Four years ago, Karen Scuilli, a mom and a nurse, was diagnosed with head and neck cancer.

Several surgeries left her with facial disfigurement.

"I felt very alone. I felt there was no one like me and I felt I no longer had a voice," Scuilli said.

Scuilli's struggles escalated and she found herself searching for a way to move forward.

"My life as I knew it was gone. I felt like a grenade came in and blew up the pieces of my puzzle," she said.

With the help of one of her doctor's, Scuilli decided to turn those feelings of depression and negativity into something good.

She created Face2Face Healing - a non-profit offering free health services and support to people suffering with disfigurement.

There are also online resources on the group's website.

"We have a Faces of Hope blog that people can actually view that has, offers them hope and inspiration," Scuilli said.

Scuilli hopes to expand services to those dealing with disfigurement from injury, illness, burns and birth defects.

However, the money has to come from somewhere and that's where a Silpada Jewelry fundraiser comes in.

The jewelry was on display at Shadyside Hospital Tuesday night. You can check out the items online and there is plenty of time to order.

The sale doesn't close until Saturday.

For more information on the group and the sale, visit their website here.