Leominster, MA – For the fourth year in a row, cancer patients at the Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Center of UMass Memorial - HealthAlliance Hospital in Fitchburg will receive free therapeutic services thanks to a grant from Angie’s Spa, a charitable, all-volunteer organization.  Since 2012, the funding has enabled the hospital’s Simonds-Hurd Complementary Care Center to provide free therapeutic yoga, hand, foot and chair massage and acupuncture services to patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. This year’s grant increase will allow for the addition of a certified music practitioner. 

Angie’s Spa is funded entirely through private donations, 100% of which go directly toward similar hospital programs.  UMass Memorial - HealthAlliance Hospital is one of only six hospitals in the country to benefit from the organization’s generosity and mission.  Founded in 2008, Angie’s Spa is named in memory of Angie Levy, a breast cancer survivor of nine years, before succumbing to the disease at the young age of 36 in 2007.  It was Angie’s upbeat attitude and love for life’s small indulgences that inspired the idea of Angie’s Spa. These services are designed to alleviate painful side effects and to provide relaxation to enhance traditional treatments.

“When we first started, it was something nice to do for patients, and now it’s great to see doctors recognizing the medical benefits,” said Nancy Berry, Executive Director of Angie’s Spa.

Since 2010, the Simonds-Hurd Complementary Care Center has provided a variety of therapeutic services and classes to members of the surrounding communities.  However, its mission also includes the integration of these healing and supportive therapies with traditional medical care throughout the cancer center and hospital.  “While the diagnosis and treatment of cancer can leave one feeling powerless, opting to participate in healing therapies to relieve anxiety, stress, and reduce treatment-related side effects is empowering and returns control to the patient.  This is evident by the fact that many of our patients actually schedule their chemotherapy days around the Angie’s Spa therapy schedule,” said Lynn Gerrits, Manager of the Simonds-Hurd Complementary Care Center.

For more information about Angie’s Spa, visit their website www.angiesspa.org and Facebook page.

For more information about the Simonds-Hurd Complementary Care Center, visit their website at www.simondshurd.com and Facebook page.

To make a donation in support of the Simonds-Hurd Complementary Care Center, visit www.healthalliancefoundation.org or contact the UMass Memorial - HealthAlliance Hospital Development Office at 978-466-2258.