The famous Croatian make-up artist Marija Butković is the founder of the association Marra Altrui, which deals with medical pigmentation for women suffering from cancer. On the occasion of Pink October and our joint campaign to support the work of the Association, we talked about its activities, goals, difficulties, but also the beautiful moments it encounters.
How did the story of the Marra Altrui Association begin? You were prompted to act by one (apparently not so random) meeting, is that right?
The story started in 2011 after meeting a girl with cancer whom I was doing make-up for an interview. Her happiness due to makeup and false eyelashes left a strong impression on me, in terms of understanding how important wholeness and beauty are in the process of treatment or recovery from illness.
What exactly do you do in the Association, what is at the center of your interest?
We deal with medical eyebrow pigmentation that women lose during chemotherapy treatment and areola and nipple contouring after mastectomy or breast reconstruction. We also organize psychoesthetic workshops where we gather women who are in the process of treatment or have been treated for the last 2 years, where we provide them with support through professional lectures and guest appearances by experts from various fields such as dermatology, psychology, nutrition, phytotherapy....
The goal of the workshops is to educate and empower the participants and provide them with the tools and information needed to better face the challenges brought by the disease. With the help of experts, women receive valuable advice on skin care, psychological support and proper nutrition, which contributes to their recovery and well-being.
What do the treatments specifically bring to women and why are they crucial in the process of rehabilitation, recovery and return to "normal life"?
Medical micropigmentation treatments help women regain a sense of self-confidence and bodily integrity. These are not just aesthetic treatments, they are treatments that have a deep emotional and psychological meaning.
Through your work in the Association, you have encountered many sad stories, but also happy endings. What, on a personal level, have you learned from everything so far?
Working in this association and meeting women with cancer provides numerous life lessons that enrich us on a moral and spiritual level. Patience and humility that reminds us of the fragility of human life and the importance of every moment. The strength of a woman who copes with the challenges of all her roles in addition to the obstacles brought by the disease.
What alleviating circumstances, but also what difficulties do you encounter when it comes to running this kind of Association?
Dealing with an association is a really complex job, sometimes I think I should have an army of people who would do everything necessary. I wouldn't call the hardest part difficulties, more disappointments in terms of awareness that for some people the feeling of vanity does not exist at all, that the story of an illness that is actually a story of recovery does not fit into someone's feed , while on the other hand, in interviews, they clearly express the importance of support and humanity.
As part of Marra Altrui, you also organize workshops open to the public, specifically women with cancer. What is it about? When is the next one scheduled and how can I apply?
During the year, we organize 4 workshops for women with cancer. We gather around 25 women at each workshop. Such workshops play a key role in providing emotional, psychological and practical support during and after treatment. They are adapted to the specific needs of sick women and their goal is to empower them and help them in the recovery process.
Everything that the health system fails to provide to women due to overload, we try to include in the workshops in cooperation with dermatologists, psychologists, nutritionists and makeup artists who lead a makeup workshop at the end of each gathering. That part is actually unreal, women completely change their focus and literally enjoy the relief of the moment itself. I would like that feeling to last for a long time, although it is a privilege to give them that feeling at least for a moment.
If someone wants to join you in action, how can they get in touch? What profile of people would you like to have in your Marra Altrui team?
We accept and invite volunteers and professional associates, I want the association to exist independent of individual persons. Everyone who recognizes what we do and wants to contribute to the achievement of the association's goals is welcome.
Olival's campaign for Marra Altrui lasts throughout October. In the period from October 1 to 31, 2024, we will allocate 5% of the funds from the sale of Amino activator CM, Hyaluron hydrator 4H, Hidro CICA face mask, Enzyme face mask and natural deo sticks through our official webshop and donate to the work of the Association . Choose your favorites and support the work of Marra Altrui!
