Brookings Health System Offers Free Massages to Chemotherapy Patients

Chemotherapy patients are often under a great amount of stress. In an attempt to provide some respite for these patients, Brookings Health System Foundation along with the Swiftel Center’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign will offer free massages to all chemotherapy patients at Brookings Health System’s outpatient treatment area effective Sept. 15.

Outpatient treatment, also known as chair care, allows people who need procedures such as chemotherapy infusions to receive them close to home rather than traveling to another location for care.

“It is the hope that the massage service can help patients relax and provide them a few moments of relief from stress,” said Karen Weber, Brookings Health System medical surgical and emergency department director. “If it brings them comfort, chemotherapy patients may choose to receive a massage each time they have an infusion appointment at our facility.”

Massage therapy can play a significant role in a person’s physical and emotional well-being. It can help improve circulation of blood, reduce blood pressure and lower the heart rate. Massage therapists from local professional spa, KRAVE the Experience, will provide the massages.

As patients schedule chemotherapy appointments at Brookings Health System, they will have the opportunity to request a massage. They can choose any combination of hand, foot, scalp, neck and shoulder massage.

Funding for the massages comes from the Swiftel Center’s annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign, which generates funds through the sale of t-shirts. Campaign proceeds are used to support local cancer patients. The campaign also increases cancer awareness and prevention in the community. The Swiftel Center works with Brookings Health System Foundation to effectively disburse those funds.

To learn more about Brookings Health System outpatient treatment services, please visit www.brookingshealth.org/Outpatient.  

About Brookings Health System Foundation

The mission of Brookings Health System Foundation is “Inspiring people to support Brookings Health System through philanthropy, recognizing the vital role of local healthcare in sustaining quality of life in our community.” Gifts to the Foundation support charity health care for those less fortunate, health and wellness education, facility, equipment, and technology upgrades and other needs as they arise at Brookings Health System. For more information about Brookings Health System Foundation or how you may contribute, please contact Foundation Officer Barb Anderson at (605) 696-8855 or foundation@brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic, Arlington Medical Center and White Medical Clinic. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, surgical and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.