Spa Gregorie's Press Room

Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Contact: Angela Cortright
angela@spagregories.com

Spa Gregorie's
200 Newport Center Dr., Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Ph. (949) 644-6672
Fax (949) 644-6323
www.spagregories.com

Spa Gregorie's "Greet the Day" Helps Women with Breast Cancer Rediscover the Healing Power Within

Monthly program featuring yoga, spa treatments and networking provides women with breast cancer opportunity to recharge after debilitating surgeries and treatments.

NEWPORT BEACH, California - July 13, 2004 - Working together with medical professionals at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center (OCMMC) Memorial Care Breast Center, Spa Gregorie's offers local cancer patients the opportunity to relax, unwind and focus on healing during their monthly "Greet the Day" program. Featuring guided meditation, yoga, soothing spa treatments and support group style forums, "Greet the Day" allows women in all stages of cancer, from those newly diagnosed to those enduring chronic treatment, to experience the power of personal touch.

"Some of the women we refer to the program have never been to a spa," says OCMMC Oncology Social Worker Nandini Velayudhan who helps identify women who would benefit from the program. "They come back having had this incredible experience. They feel more in touch with themselves and their wellbeing."

Spa Gregorie's donates gift baskets and gift certificates to over 150 charities each year, but according to Spa Director Scott Duncan, "Greet the Day" is a hands-on way to help the brave women who are battling breast cancer in our community overcome the disease.

"We wanted to provide a refuge for them outside of their chemotherapy and radiation treatments where they could rest and reconnect with their own beauty. We've been surprised to find that these women really don't have a forum for talking and networking with each other."

Eight to 15 women each month are invited to participate in "Greet the Day." The morning begins with guided meditation and gentle yoga practice conducted by Spa Gregorie's yoga instructor Dana Connelly. Nearby Yoga Works provides studio space free of charge. "We feel really good about helping out with this great cause," says Yoga Works Director Randi Beck.

The women return to Spa Gregorie's where they are invited to slip into comfortable robes and slippers before unwinding for a few moments in the Quiet Room. Having selected from her choice of massage or facial, each participant then enjoys a personalized one-hour spa treatment.

After enjoying their spa service, the ladies are treated to a high tea lunch where they spend time talking with one another about strategies for coping with the challenges of breast cancer. Before they leave for the day, each woman receives a gift bag filled with spa products and inspiring gifts to keep her looking and feeling beautiful for weeks to come.

Spa Gregorie's staff of massage therapists and aestheticians donates their time for the event. "Most of the people who get into this business do so because they want to help others, then it becomes a way to make money, a routine, and they lose their original focus," says Duncan. '"Greet the Day" has given our staff a chance to help heal people, and it's been very rewarding for us all."

The energy to continue and expand the program comes from experiencing each woman's joy and appreciation. "I've had women say to me that they feel beautiful for the first time in months. That's saying a lot considering what they have been through. They come back feeling rejuvenated and even their families notice a change," says OCMMC's Velayudhan.

Spa Gregorie's is now working with other spas and hospitals in Southern California to provide the Greet the Day program to more cancer patients in more communities. Just recently, Spa Gaucin at the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point launched their program and the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach will be commencing their program shortly. In addition, 4 additional hospitals are now involved and directing their patients to participating spas. These hospitals include Hoag, Mission, Saddleback and Fountain Valley Oncology Center.

Located at 200 Newport Center Drive, Suite 100, Spa Gregorie's is a unique retreat for men and women to escape the rigors of daily stress and to replenish body and soul. Offering a broad range of skin and body care, Spa Gregorie's enhances wellbeing through treatments that nourish, heal, and balance. Reservations are recommended for spa services and can be made by calling Spa Gregorie's at (949) 644- 6672. Spa Gregorie's is open seven days a week; Monday from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Tuesday though Sunday from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

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