Candace Hudson on Friday became the first patient to receive a care package through a new program at the 21st Century Oncology Center in Andalusia.

Start Something Beautiful is a campaign started by local Mary Kay senior sales director Nancy Dove.

“After following two dear friends in recent months and their journeys through the beginning stages of breast cancer and subsequent treatment, I as deeply moved for this cause,” Dove said. “I can’t imagine the fear, trepidation, and anxiety as you sit down for the first time to receive life-saving chemotherapy or radiation.”

Dove has partnered with the oncology center and local sponsors to provide a gift for every man and every woman who begins treatment there. Men receive cologne, body and hair shampoo and a facial hydrator packaged in a sport kit. Women receive hand cream, lip balm, shower gel and body wash in a travel roll-up bag. Sponsors are asked to personalize a gift tag for the bag.

More than 60 sponsors made the delivery of the first bags possible, including: Nichole Adkison, Andalusia Animal Clinic and Pet Resort, Andalusia Manor, Andalusia Regional Hospital, Andalusia Sewing Center, Jennifer Armstrong and Leann Riley, Ruck and Patty Ashworth, The Bass Agency and WAAO, Meri Catherine Brasfield, Tim and Cindy Bryan – State Farm, Vivi Buritica, Bob Carter, CCB Community Bank, CDG Engineering, Christopher’s Fine Jewelry, Covington County Probate Judges Office, Covington OB-GYN, Katherine Dantz, Darby’s Pharmacy, David’s Catfish House, Lynne Dayton, Patty Donato, Debra Giles, Goodwin Mills and Cawood Charitable Foundation, Greg and Doty Henderson, the Hobson family, Richard Howell, Huddle House, J.M. Jackson Chevrolet, Dr. and Mrs. Troy Jones, Gwen Lee, Susan Lee, Dr. Parrish and Katie King, Littleton family, Mayor and Mrs. Earl Johnson, Massey Automotive, Dr. and Mrs. David McCalman, Drs. David and Ali McKowen, Linda Mellown, the O’Neal Agency, Joyce and Ronnie Paul, Vicki Popwell, Steve and Debbie Posey, Pugh and Sons Recycling, Marsh Reichert, Settle family, Sharyn Smith – State Farm, Southeast Alabama Gas District, Sherry Taylor, Taylor Linen, Three Notch Chiropractic, Mr. and Mrs. John Vick, Kimberli Weaver, Allen and Mary Ashley Wise, Woodard Law Firm, Donna Youmans, Comfort Care Hospice, Brian and Nancy Dove, Southern Independent Bank and Cathy Womac.

Contributions of $100 fund each bag. Of that contribution, $5 goes to the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation. For information or to make a contribution, contact Dove at 334-625-0613.