Touching the lives of our community’s cancer patients

Since its introduction in 2004, Memorial Medical Center’s Complementary Therapy Program has touched the lives of our community’s cancer patients, helping make their lives more comfortable as they proceed through their journeys of recovery, healing or coping.

Complementary therapies may be used in conjunction with traditional medical cancer treatments to help manage symptoms, enable and optimize healing and improve a patient’s quality of life. Complementary therapies can also assist in reducing nausea and pain; enhancing the analgesic effects of medication; decreasing distress, trauma, anxiety, isolation and depression; promoting the release of emotions and clear thinking; and fostering positive health attitudes and a sense of well being.

Memorial’s Complementary Therapy Program originally provided music and touch therapies to patients receiving treatment from our Oncology and Radiation Therapy Departments. In 2005, the program was expanded to include art and writing therapies. “Writing Through Cancer,” a heartfelt collection of poems, prose and journal entries penned by Writing Group participants was published, and “Visions of the Soul,” a special exhibit of incredible works produced by the Art Group, was presented. Both projects have been inspirational examples of the powerful influence that this program has had on the lives of patients in our community. The program will be expanded further to include movement therapy in 2007.

The Complementary Therapy Program is supported with donations from members of Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Living Oak Club.

At Memorial, we believe in treating the entire person, spiritually as well as physically. The Complementary Therapy Program combines with our state-of-the-art Cancer Services to complete the circle of comprehensive cancer care.