December 19, 2011: Local cancer patients seeking pain relief during chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment will be the beneficiaries of a $5,000 donation made to the Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation by the Safeway Foundation, Safeway Corporation and their employees.
This donation lets the Foundation, currently beginning its fourth year, provide immediate relief to local cancer patients by helping them pay for complementary therapies – such as therapeutic massage, acupressure, acupuncture, deep breathing techniques, guided meditation and/or visual imagery sessions – during their cancer treatments. These therapies are typically not covered by insurance and help alleviate the side effects caused by radiation and chemotherapy treatments, sometimes lessening pain and anxiety.
“We are ecstatic to receive the Safeway Foundation donation,” said founder Sandra J. Wing, a dual cancer survivor. “We have admired their organization and are pleased to be able to help local cancer patients on their behalf.”
On hand to present their check to the Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation board was Christy Duncan-Anderson, executive director for the Safeway Foundation. “The Safeway Foundation is proud to support organizations like the Sandra J Wing Healing Therapies Foundation that work in our communities and provide support to those that need it most,” stated Christy. ” This particular grant strikes a very personal cord for me. My mother-in-law passed away from lung cancer last year and I don’t know if there was anything that could have made a difference in her ultimate outcome but I wish she had access to an organization like this.”
To be eligible for a Foundation grant, applicants must be diagnosed with cancer; under the care of a physician; undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment; reside in Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, or Danville; and not have medical insurance which covers the complementary service(s) they desire.
The Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation raises funds throughout the year with a variety of events and activities. The group’s primary fundraiser is the Ragin’ Cajun, a dinner/dance/auction event that is held every winter. The 4th Annual Ragin’ Cajun will be held at the Palm Event Center in Pleasanton on Friday, March 2, 2012. Sponsors and volunteers are sought for this festive Mardi Gras themed event.
Applications are now being accepted for 2012 grants. Interested applicants can apply online at www.healingtherapiesfoundation.org or call (866) 862-7270 for an application. Friends, family members, and caregivers are encouraged to help the patient complete the application.
The Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation is a tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible. To learn more about the Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation, go to www.healingtherapiesfoundation.org
Caption for attached photo:
Jack Barry, employee representative at Safeway presented the check (along with Executive Director, Christy Duncan Anderson) to the Board Members of the Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation at their November 2011 board meeting!
