Iowa Spa 'Makeover' Lifts This 4-Year-Old Cancer Patient
— -- An Iowa spa catered to a very special client when it gave a full "makeover" to young cancer patient Wednesday.
Taryn Oberthein, 4, has spent much of the past year dealing with doctors and hospitals after she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer, according to ABC News affiliate KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells in different areas in the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Taryn was surprised with a very special day at the Blush Salon & Spa in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The spa is a member of the Hello Gorgeous! non-profit that provides free makeovers and pampering to cancer patients.
Salon owner Susan Livingston told ABC News the girl started out a little "shy," but quickly warmed up as she enjoyed a free manicure, facial and pedicure.
"Her mom said [later] that she wanted to do it every day," Livingston said of the makeover day.
The day of pampering comes after a difficult year, when Taryn underwent chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and radiation to treat her cancer, according to KCRG-TV.
"It just think it would make her feel so special to have a day where she can just feel pretty," Taryn's mother, Tara Martin, told KCRG-TV.
The full pampering also included a special red carpet entrance, bouquet of flowers and even a little session with photographers, where Taryn was able to pose in her new look. She was even given her own wig specially made for pediatric patients.
"When we asked her what she wanted for her birthday, all she wanted was for her hair to grow back," Martin told ABC News.
Martin said when the wig came out Taryn was initially a little afraid, but ended up enjoying her new accessory.
"She called it strutting her stuff," Martin said. "She's a pretty special little girl, she's always got a smile on her face."
