The growing trend of microblading may seem a bit superficial, but for Lynne Robinson, receiving new eyebrows was like 鈥渢aking back some power.鈥�

Robinson, an ovarian cancer survivor, is the first to undergo free microblading by cosmetic tattoo artist Mandi Trickett-Wasylesky in the new campaign, #SheIsStrongByAvenue42.

Launched in January, every six to eight weeks, Trickett-Wasylesky, who operates Avenue 42 in Brookswood, is donating her time and materials to tattoo eyebrows on cancer survivors who have lost their hair.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think she (Trickett-Wasylesky) really understands the impact that it can have on the person,鈥� Robinson said.

鈥淚t was amazing. I feel honoured that she would be willing to do that for me, to honour my cancer journey that way and to give me back that power. I think that it鈥檚 a beautiful, wonderful thing. (Cancer is) something that is so out of your control, and to have that control back 鈥� it鈥檚 pretty spectacular.鈥�

Robinson was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 at the age of 42, and underwent a year of chemotherapy and surgical treatments before being declared cancer-free.

鈥淧hysically, mentally, spiritually 鈥� it hits you on all levels,鈥� Robinson said.

鈥淚鈥檓 happy, healthy and clear now, but the effects of cancer linger long after the treatments have ended.鈥�

Trickett-Wasylesky has been doing nail services at her Avenue 42 studio for 10 years, and cosmetic tattooing for nearly four. Robinson is a long-time nail client of hers, and when she asked about having her eyebrows done, Trickett-Wasylesky said 鈥渢he idea came to me.鈥�

鈥淪he (Robinson) is just one of the most wonderful people, and one of the strongest women I have ever met in my life, and I really wanted to do something for her to make her feel better,鈥� Trickett-Wasylesky said.

鈥淚鈥檝e had a few clients that have been impacted by breast cancer and ovarian cancer, and I lost a few clients over the last few years as well to cancer 鈥� so it鈥檚 been fairly relevant in my life.

鈥淚 just think that everyone should do something for others. Not only does it make you feel good, but it makes others feel good.鈥�

Using a hand-held tool that resembles a pen, Trickett-Wasylesky stencils in each individual eyebrow hair to give a natural look. The procedure is relatively painless, but Robinson warns it can be emotional.

She said the sterile, surgical environment was a small trigger that reminded her of her cancer treatments.

鈥淵ou just need to be aware that you may see people with emotional release and gratitude beyond what you may be expecting,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd to make sure that people are in a place to accept that.鈥�

But that鈥檚 something Trickett-Wasylesky is already used to. Even for many of her clients who have not had cancer, when they see their eyebrows for the first time 鈥渢hey just burst into tears because they are so happy.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 a really big deal for women (who are cancer survivors) because they have had so much done to their bodies, and they have been invaded so much, and they have so much to get over. And they have scars, and they feel ugly, and they don鈥檛 need a constant reminder every single time they look in the mirror at their face of what they have been through,鈥� Trickett-Wasylesky said.

鈥淎nd so it鈥檚 just something that can make them just feel a little bit better and not have to be reminded of the struggles they have been through every single day.鈥�

Trickett-Wasylesky still has openings available for cancer survivors who would like to receive free microblading. Those interested must be at least six months chemotherapy and radiation free, or have a doctor鈥檚 note.

Robinson encourages anyone who may be on the fence to apply.

鈥淪he (Trickett-Wasylesky) gave me back some power. Cancer took this from me temporarily, but I鈥檓 taking it back. That鈥檚 the feeling that I walked away with. It鈥檚 something that people may not really understand, and if there鈥檚 anyone that鈥檚 really hesitant about doing it, go meet her and talk to her and see what she鈥檚 about.鈥�

Inquiries can be made online at , on the 鈥淎venue 42鈥� andpages, or by calling 604-825-7494.

RELAY FOR LIFE SEEKING CANCER SURVIVORS

Robinson, who is the volunteer chair for the 91原创 Relay For Life, is also encouraging cancer survivors to sign up for the 2017 Relay for Life event.

Taking place June 9 from 6 p.m. to midnight at McLeod Athletic Park, the festivities will launch with a survivors鈥� victory lap.

Donning yellow survivors鈥� shirts, participants walk a lap of the track while hundreds of spectators cheer them on.

鈥淭here is no charge for survivors, and it is truly an amazing, empowering, and positive way to start the event and celebrate those who have fought cancer (or) are fighting cancer,鈥� Robinson said.

The annual event raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society, with this year鈥檚 goal being $150,000.

For more information or to register, visit the website .