Sam Lowe knows cancer patients are used to being touched clinically – poked, prodded and examined.
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But Ms Lowe, an oncology masseur, said a nurturing touch can help relieve pain, anxiety and depression and make cancer patients feel like themselves again.
“Often oncology patients become quite isolated,” she said.
“Sometimes the benefit, aside from the pain relief, is just being touched in a loving and nurturing way.”
Ms Lowe of Shanaluke Natural Therapies launched Touch of Kindness, where people could donate money towards free massages for cancer patients.
Ms Lowe said oncology massage was a specialised field with only two practitioners in the Albury-Wodonga region.
She decided to start up Touch of Kindness after realising patients couldn’t always afford the comforting treatment as well as medical costs.
“I started it in November when a patient came who want gifted a voucher by a loved one,” Ms Lowe said.
“They said they’d love to come more often but with the financial cost of cancer it was too much.
“So I started a wishing well in the foyer of the Orana Yoga and Wellness Centre.”
Elenor Tedenborg was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and gifted an oncology massage voucher.
She said the Touch of Kindness initiative was a fantastic one.
“Obviously when you get diagnosed with cancer you don’t think of going to a massage so to be given it is great,” she said.
“It’s very important to take time for yourself whether you’re sick or not sick.”
Ms Tedenborg said after the massage she felt more grounded and relaxed.
Since November, 33 gift vouchers had been given to cancer patients. Ms Lowe said everyone knew someone with cancer and she’d seen significant changes in patients.
“Massages are amazing for pain management, for anxiety and depression and for women who’ve had a mastectomy it’s good for body image,” she said.
“One client said the hour of peace on my massage table enabled her to get through the next week of hell.”
Ms Lowe said people it would be fantastic to see more people donate in store to Touch of Kindness so vouchers could be offered to more cancer patient.
“Unless the funds trickle in we can’t gift the sessions,” she said.
“My goal is being able to offer anyone who walks through the door with a cancer diagnosis a voucher for a free treatment. I’d encourage people to come in and gift any amount. It’s important the community supports people in the community.”