Northridge Hospital’s Leavey Cancer Center offers free therapeutic massages to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. The initial idea of providing cancer patients with therapeutic massages came from a non-profit organization named Angie’s Spa.
Angie’s Spa was created in memory of Angie Levy, who tragically lost her life to metastatic breast cancer in November 2007 at the young age of 36. Diagnosed at age 27, Angie spent the next 9 years trying to live a normal life while waging the long battle for remission and a cure. It was Angie’s upbeat attitude and love for life’s small indulgences that inspired the idea of Angie’s Spa.
For the 10 years that Angie’s Spa was in existence, they funded Northridge Hospital’s Cancer Center with $372,000 so that we could provide massages at no cost to our cancer patients.
Since Angie’s Spa ceased their operations in 2020, Northridge Hospital Foundation has made the commitment to continue the free therapeutic massage program for our patients at the Leavey Cancer Center in honor of Angie’s Spa Foundation and the tremendous impact it has on our patient’s outcomes.
To sponsor a massage for a cancer patient you can do so now by clicking the “Donate Now” button in the upper right hand corner of the website. First time donors will have to register. Once registered, simply pull down “designation” tab and choose Angie’s Spa Massage for Cancer Patients. The cost of a massage is $37 and lasts 20 minutes.
For people affected by cancer, complementary and holistic treatments have been proven to decrease stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue by reducing pain and alleviating some of the side effects of traditional medical treatments. Angie's Spa provides cancer patients a break from a life of managing the disease and gives them a gift for their spirit, their soul and their self esteem.
The hospital is very fortunate to offer these complimentary care services and the patients that have experienced these massages and touch techniques have expressed great appreciation for the program.
Our patients thank Angie's Spa for the wonderful support, and here are a few patient comments:
I cannot express how grateful I am for the massage therapists at the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Cancer Center. They were an incredible relief many times during my treatment. I had horrible back pain and spasms that were greatly relieved when I received the massages both in the infusion room and in the radiation therapy department. I was also having issues with the bottom of my feet that caused quite a bit of pain, and the foot massage I received was a tremendous help. Unless you have been through this type of treatment I don't think you can understand the muscle pain I experienced just from trying to stand up for a few minutes. Knowing that the massage therapists were there and all I had to do was ask for their help was a huge weight off of my shoulders and my family that was taking care of me. My sincere thanks.”
- Andrew D.
Angie’s Spa and the therapeutic massages have given me a new sense of peace in a world that is scary and doom. The golden touch of the masseuse actually replaces any negative feelings with a sense of calm and understanding. Words cannot convey the gratitude that I have for your program. This is a very touching gift. Thank you.”
- Benton C.
The massages relieve the pain and stress that I carry in my shoulders and back, also helps when I have a tension headache. My massage therapist has a cheerful and positive demeanor and a magical touch. This service makes showing up for radiation tolerable."
- Debra W.
