The American Cancer Society Recommends Massage Therapy to Bring Comfort and Improve the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients

Massage therapy is a safe treatment for cancer patients. Studies have consistently shown that oncology massage reduces anxiety and nausea, eases pain and improves sleep. The American Cancer Society now recommends massage therapy to bring comfort and improve the quality of life of cancer patients: “There is more to a cancer patient than just a mass of cancerous cells, and massage therapy is a great way for the patient to reconnect with their body and mind.”

To read more of what the American Cancer Society says about massage therapy for cancer patients, please click here.

Today is World Cancer Day

The World Health Organization has deemed February 4th as World Cancer Day to encourage communities and cancer organizations across the world to raise awareness and show their support in the fight against cancer. re-org invites you to participate in this important day by joining us in our work to help cancer survivors heal and improve their quality of life. Here are some ways you can help support cancer survivors in our community:

- Spread the word. Who doesn't know a cancer survivor? Reach out to those you know and tell them about our services. Encourage them to visit our website (www.re-orgdenver.org) or call us at 720-837-5223.

- Donate. Donating funds to re-org is easy, and your money goes a long way in helping us accomplish our mission. You can either donate online at www.re-orgdenver.org or mail a check to re-org, 259 Delaware St., Denver CO, 80223.

- Volunteer. re-org relies on an all volunteer staff of massage therapists to help cancer survivors in our community, and we are currently accepting applications for volunteers. Please contact us for more information.

re-org
Providing massage therapy to cancer survivors at no charge
www.re-orgdenver.org
720-837-5223
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Photos from the Wine Tasting

Thank you again for those who attended the re-org Wine Tasting on October 2nd. We've posted some pictures from the event below. For more information about our work or to make an online donation, please visit re-org's main website.

Research: Massage Therapy Helps Those With Advanced Cancer

From Yahoo!News September 16, 2008:

According to a September 16th report in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers found that people who received massage from a licensed, specially trained therapist reported greater improvements in pain and mood symptoms than did people who received simple touch.

"Our goal was to see if massage therapy compared to simple touch would be beneficial," said the study's lead author, Dr. Jean Kutner, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. Measuring patient outcomes immediately after massage sessions, her team found that "massage was better than simple touch for pain and mood," she said.

"If massage helps people with advanced cancer feel better, then I'd say great, do it," said Dr. Jay Brooks, chair of oncology and hematology at Ochsner Health Foundation in Baton Rouge, La. Brooks does recommend that anyone with cancer, especially those on active treatment regimens, should check with their doctor before getting a massage.

To read the full article, click here.

A Big Thank You

Thank you to everyone who attended the re-org Wine Tasting on October 2nd. We had such a great time and it was an honor to share our work with all of you. If you are interested in continuing to support re-org, please consider:
- Sharing our mission with a cancer survivor who might benefit from our services.
- Making a monetary donation to re-org.
- Sharing our mission with others in the community.
- Passing along information on funding opportunities.

Thank you again to all of our volunteers and our event sponsors:
- Therese Rednor
- Centerra Wine Company
- Vine One Wine Company
- Mulberries Cake Shop
- India's Pearl Restaurant
- Starbucks at the UMB Bank Plaza in Downtown Denver
- TallGrass Spa & Salon
- The Denver Zoo
- Colorado Carriage Company
- Twist & Shout
- Party Time Rentals

Wine Tasting October 2nd

re-org Wine Tasting
October 2, 2008 7pm-9pm
The Other Side Arts 1644 Platte St.

re-org staff and Board of Directors invite you to join us on October 2nd for a wine tasting to learn about the mission and work of re-org. Taste delicious wines, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and enter your name in our drawing for gifts from the Denver Zoo, TallGrass Spa, Twist & Shout and more!

Feel free to invite your friends, but please RSVP to contact@re-orgdenver.org or 720-837-5223 by September 25.

A Note From Board President Laura Rogers

A few years ago I used to gaze out my office window and wonder if I could find a job I loved, something I felt helped people and, as a bonus, could actually provide income.

As I was receiving my own monthly massage, thinking how much benefit I received from it, the light came on. Within weeks of that first thought I was a panty hose wearing office employee by day, massage school student by night. A year later, I was employed as a full time therapist.

In my work as a therapist I am sometimes surprised by the number of clients who have or had cancer. I feel honored they allow me to work on them and share their stories with me. The physical benefits are, of course, good for the client but I feel there’s more to the experience. My clients get time away from doctors, medications, needles, treatments, well meaning friends and family members who don’t know what to say, and wigs. They show me their scars, show me their bald heads, sometimes laugh, and sometimes cry.

I was very young when my mother died of cancer. I don’t remember how she felt, if it were terrible she wouldn’t have said so anyway. She would have smiled and saved sadness for times alone with my dad. I’ve spent more years on the planet without her than with her, yet her mark on me is deeper than anyone else I ever known. She lives in the next world, and she walks through this world with me. I often feel her in my massage room, and I know she is proud.