On January 24th, 2009, student massage therapists of The Institute for Therapeutic Massage donated their time and skills by offering 1 hour massages to the public in an effort to help the financially struggling Gilda’s Club of Northern New Jersey, a cancer support facility located in Hackensack, New Jersey (Bergen County). Gilda’s Club is a non-profit organization that offers free programs, such as support groups, art classes, lectures and children’s programs to those individuals suffering from cancer as well as their families and caregivers. The club announced in June that it could not meet its $811,000 annual budget. Billionaire real estate developer Leonard Stern has pledged $200,000 to keep the facility open, but so much more is needed.

The massages were offered at 2 locations: 1069 Ringwood Avenue – Suite 315 in Haskell / Wanaque, New Jersey (Passaic County) and Tinton Falls, New Jersey (Monmouth County). People wishing to help out Gilda’s Club had been encouraged to call for an appointment by phoning ITM in Haskell at (973) 831-4111 and Tinton Falls (732) 936-0195 as there was a limited number of clinic massage spaces available. All proceeds went to Gilda’s Club.

Community Outreach is not new to ITM. Student therapists of the nation’s first and only accredited Oncology Massage Certification Course regularly provide massage to patients at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey (Essex County). “Everyone’s life has been touched by cancer in some fashion and this effort is a way for ITM and the public to help this amazing organization”, says Lisa Helbig, Executive Director and owner of ITM, whose sister was recently treated for cancer. So come out, bring your tight and tired muscles and help support Gilda’s Club at the same time, your body and heart will thank you for it.