CDH Receives Grant for Women with Breast Cancer

NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Cancer Care Program and its Center for Complementary Therapies have been awarded a grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for $34,457 to provide complementary therapy services to area women living with breast cancer. Services will be provided in collaboration with Cancer Connection, Women’s Health Network/Tapestry Health, Hospice of the Fisher Home, and the VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson.

“The grant will enable us to provide free complementary therapy services to women in Hampshire and Franklin counties living with a breast cancer diagnosis,” said Mary Ellen Walsh, Cancer Care Program director.

Women can choose from complementary therapies services such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, healing music, healing touch, Reiki, preparing for surgery, self-hypnosis/guided imagery and therapeutic massage. All practitioners providing these services are employees of Cooley Dickinson Hospital. They hold certifications, appropriate licensing, and registrations, and pursue ongoing training in their respective fields of expertise.

“More women survive breast cancer than any other type of cancer,” Walsh noted. “However, survival is only part of long-term adjustment. The quality of that survival is equally important. For women on this journey, we are honored to be able to provide access to complementary therapies that offer self-awareness and stress reduction techniques.”