OMA therapists, Gail Bailey, Lisa Johnston and Lesley Moehle gave chair massages to 16 cancer survivors during the first annual Breast Cancer Survivorship Conference at the Asante Smullin Educational Center on Saturday, October 22, 2016. The conference was a great success and very informative. The Keynote speaker was Annie Parker, three time cancer survivor, author of the book and inspiration of the film, Decoding Annie Parker.
This month in Texas, the national nonprofit Casting for Recovery held its first retreat exclusively for women with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC). OMA therapist, fly fishing instructor, and 11-year breast cancer survivor Mary Liebermann joined the all-volunteer staff at the retreat held at Camp Capers in Waring, TX. 
Based on feedback from participants who attended retreats held around the country, CfR determined the need for a pilot program to evaluate whether or not the needs for MBC women were different enough to warrant retreats specific to that population. Feedback from the twelve randomly selected participants validated that their needs, concerns, and experiences were significantly different from the traditional women survivors who attend CfR retreats.
“These twelve women, ranging in age from the early 30s to late 60s, were totally awesome! They are learning to cope with their disease and trying to move forward with their lives, but MBC is always there for them. Being at the retreat gave them an opportunity to focus on learning the therapeutic sport of fly fishing; be one with nature as they walked along the beautiful and serene Guadalupe River with an eco-therapist; receive a chair or hand and foot massage; experience restorative yoga; and bond with women who are facing similar challenges. They voiced their concerns about how so much of cancer research is dedicated to prevention and early treatment, but not enough is being done to turn living with MBC into a chronic disease rather than an ultimate death sentence. Their voices were heard loud and clear and these women had a tremendous positive impact on each other and the CfR staff.”……..Mary Liebermann, LMT
See https://castingforrecovery.org for more information about Casting for Recovery and future retreats.
Light the Way was an early evening lantern walk down Roxy Ann Peak held to raise funds and awareness for two of our local nonprofits in the Medford, Oregon area; Oncology Massage Alliance providing free hand and foot massages to patients undergoing chemotherapy/radiation treatments and the Candlelighters for Children with Cancer.
Please let us know in your ‘Comments’ if you would like to be added to our email list for future events, too!
Held Sunday, September 11, 2016 at The Cedar Park Center
The Brain Power 5K, 10K, Survivor Stride & Kids Run is Central Texas’ Race Against Brain Cancer funding brain cancer research, recognizing brain tumor survivors and remembering loved ones lost to this devastating disease. The 6th Annual Brain Power event is proud to benefit the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation for Brain Cancer Research at MD Anderson Cancer Center as well as local efforts in our Central Texas brain tumor community.
OMA therapists and board members spent the day spreading the work about oncology massage and giving chair massages to race participants. Lots of fun and new friendships were formed. Can’t wait for next year!
On June 9th, 2016 OMA attended the State Wellness Fair for the 4th year! The Fair includes educational information about wellness, health and physical fitness for state employees. Board members Diane Christopherson, Arann Sheperd, and Geri Ruane along with OMA Therapists Martha Iglehart and Larry Delagarza provided information about oncology massage and OMA services. OMA was well received and we all met so many great people.
“I was also impressed to the response from the crowd today. It seems that cancer touches many lives and they remember us for our special services we provide to their loved ones. Great to meet everyone today and it was my pleasure to spread the word!”
— Larry Delagarza, OMA LMT
Martha Iglehart, Diane Christopherson, Arann Shepard and Larry Delagarza help spread the word about oncology massage and OMA.
OMA attended the June 4th Relay for Life in Medford Oregon for the third year. The event raised $65,000, included 47 teams, 540 participants and 200 survivors! Although temperatures rose to over 100 degrees, OMA provided chair massages to survivors and caregivers under the shade of a shady magnolia tree. 
OMA Therapists Lesley Moehle and Gail Bailey were thrilled to meet 91 year old Clara Pursel, a 48 year survivor!
Casting for Recovery – Texas May 13-15, 2016
OMA therapist Mary Liebermann, a volunteer staff member with the Casting for Recovery (CfR) Texas program, attended the annual Central Texas retreat held at Joshua Creek Ranch in Boerne, TX. Fourteen women diagnosed with breast cancer were randomly selected to attend this unique retreat where they are able to talk about issues impacting their lives with fellow survivors and healthcare professionals; learn the therapeutic sport of fly fishing; take nature walks; experience restorative yoga; and receive a chair or hand and foot massage. CfR retreats last two-and-a-half days and 100% free for participants.
“The women who attended this year’s retreat were simply incredible. They were so willing to share their experience and be there to support each other. At the end of the weekend they left with new friends, new coping skills, and felt renewed and empowered….and they had a great time catching fish!”—–Mary Liebermann, LMT
This November, CfR-Texas will be piloting a new retreat exclusively for women with Stage IV/distant metastatic breast cancer. See https://castingforrecovery.org for more information about Casting for Recovery.
.
Our own Alicia Lingenfelter hosted an information table at the Seventh Annual Heritage at Towne Lake Auto Show on February 27th. Alicia provided free hand massages as well as spreading the word about the benefits of oncology massage. The event was held at Towne Lake Lodge, Cypress, Texas 19201 N. Canyon Lake Springs Drive.
For over 10 years we have done a job fair at our school that is open to all therapists and massage students. It is free to all attending and to the registered employers. This year we will welcome about 25 employers. To meet 25 employers in one afternoon is an incredible opportunity!
I love this event each year – every year it exceeds my expectations. I want to see every therapist in town come, at least just to celebrate the great demand there is for massage therapy and de-stressing in this world. We have the touch!
On Wednesday, September 2nd, OMA participated in “Staying Connected, 2015 Wellness Fair for ERS (Employees Retirement System of Texas) Retirees.” It was held at the University of Texas JJ Pickle Research Center in Austin. This is the first year that OMA has been part of this event, which included information about wellness and health with hundreds of ERS retirees attending. OMA massage therapists and board members were able to talk to many people about oncology massage therapy and OMA’s services in the community.