Welcome Visitors!

You have found the massage therapy resource for Rochester, NY area residents who are living with cancer. Human Touch Initiative (HTI) is a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization. Our Oncology Massage Program, making massage accessible to those with a current cancer diagnosis for free or low-cost has been in action since October 2009.

The reason HTI exists is simple and best illustrated through the countless stories we hear from cancer patients when describing how their life changed the day they heard the words “we’ve found cancer”. Some say their breath was literally taken away and the hours and days that followed were terrifying. Those diagnosed with cancer are often consumed with worry about things like how to tell their children, whether they will be able to continue to work, and what their next test is going to reveal. They experience feeling a loss-of-control, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, pain and many other emotional and physical symptoms and side affects as a result of cancer and it’s demanding treatments.

Massage is an integrative, non-invasive and nurturing approach to addressing these emotional and physical ways cancer patients may suffer. HTI was founded to make it more accessible, to increase public and medical practitioner awareness of its benefits and to help cancer patients find qualified therapists in the Rochester area.

Medical research studies will tell you how massage can reduce symptoms and side affects of cancer and it’s treatment. But it is those who have experienced massage as a tool for them to cope with living with cancer who can tell you how it has helped them reduce their pain, lymph edema and overall anxiety.

“Human Touch Initiative afforded me massages at no expense. The unbelievable success from these massages have relieved severe pain and swelling. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to feel in good health again. I had a massage today, what a difference it makes!”
—Bonnie Mortillaro

Plans for 2011 include developing a movement program this fall that will include classes in yoga, tai chi, dance, Feldenkreis and more. This program will be modeled after the Oncology Massage Program using local movement facilitators who will modify classes to meet the needs of those attending. Also, like our Massage Program the Movement Program will  be geared to alleviate the symptoms and side affects mentioned above. Classes will be held at the studios of the individual participating movement facilitators. More information will be posted as the program develops. To stay informed get on our list to receive notices of our events and program news. Click this link:  “HTI events notices”