DUARTE, Calif. – Weeks of chemotherapy treatment can weigh heavy on a patient’s body—and mind. However, a free massage program at a Duarte Hospital is bringing relief to cancer fighters and their caregivers.

City of Hope has partnered with Soothe Massage Therapy to provide free 15-minute chair massages to patients, caregivers, and hospital staff as a way to reduce their stress and anxiety.  

Patient Rupinder Sidhu, who is battling breast cancer, says each massage gives her time to disconnect from the constant poking and prodding of her body that comes from chemotherapy.

“When you’re going through something this tough and this grueling and this taxing on your body, you’re not relaxed unless your being mindful about doing that,” Sidhu said.

The program started a year ago in May, 2018. It's now expanded to two days a week inside the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center. Two licensed therapists certified in oncology massage visit City of Hope’s Duarte main campus to massage cancer patients, families, caregivers, as well as the hospital staff and clinicians. 

Each therapist performs four chair massages per hour, or 32 people daily.

The massages provide stress relief for caregivers like Harjinder Sidhu, who is Rupinder’s mom. She drives nearly 40 miles to be with her daughter during treatment.

“I support her. I know it’s a hard time,” Harjinder Sidhu said.  “But it’s ok. God help us and we manage.”

The massages allow fifteen minutes of respite for each person, who emerges ready to tackle their next treatment.