Sponsored Institutions - Stories

January 15, 2019, Santa Cruz, California – Studies have shown that stress correlates with heart disease, endocrine disorders, and other inflammatory diseases, including cancer. Going through cancer treatment is enormously stressful, not only for the patient but for the entire family.

Research also shows that meditation and massage can help reduce symptoms of stress, enhance the ability to cope, and improve feelings of well-being in patients with cancer.

The Dominican Hospital Foundation and the Adrian Dominican Sisters wanted to help. In May 2017, the Adrian Dominican Congregation awarded a grant of $18,000 to the Foundation for the Katz Cancer Resource Center. With this funding, the Katz Center established an Integrative Medicine program, providing massage to patients, family members, and oncology staff at the Mary and Richard Solari Infusion Center at Dominican Hospital. The benefits of the program were soon realized by participants.

Jane Ann Clemens, Certified Oncology Massage Therapist, now provides free massages three days a week at the Katz Center. Patients receive either a foot or a back and neck massage while receiving their infusions. Patients are also offered a free full-body massage at the Katz Center once a month, if medically appropriate.

In addition, Jane Ann teaches care-givers how to provide neuropathic massage treatments to help manage hand or foot pain, which can occur with cancer treatment.

The Congregation’s grant also provides funding for education of the oncology staff in the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques taught by Dr. Robert Stahl. This training allows staff to better care for themselves while caring for patients.

The Foundation continues raising funds for this program. To participate, call 831-462-7712.

Reprinted with permission from Dominican Hospital Foundation’s
Winter 2018/2019 issue of Focus on Wellness