SAN DIEGO - (Business Wire) BIOTONE today announced a $15,000 donation to support three Massage Therapy Foundation funded community service projects. The donation is part of BIOTONE’s ongoing support for the Massage Therapy Foundation’s granting program. BIOTONE funded projects for 2009 focus on massage therapy for HIV/AIDS patients, relieving stress and easing chronic pain and infant massage to strengthen the bond between new mothers and their babies. Diana L. Thompson, LMP, president of the Massage Therapy Foundation said, “We are very grateful to BIOTONE for its commitment to the community projects that underscore the value of massage to aid in healing and for strengthening interpersonal bonding. With these grants, not only do participants benefit, but the entire massage industry benefits by continuing to show the value of massage therapy as an important alternative therapy.”
About BIOTONE Funded Projects
In “Healing Hands for HIV/AIDS,” April Grant, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Philadelphia, Pa., will bring massage therapy and its immune-boosting benefits to those living with HIV/AIDS. Under the program, a massage therapist will provide onsite chair or table massage on a weekly basis for four hours to patients who can book two appointments each month. Project leaders anticipate that the program will benefit 50 to 100 clients during the grant period.
“Massage Does a Body Good,” under the direction of Susan Ann Raszewski, West Central Texas Council of Governments, Abilene, Texas, will enable professionals to take massage to rural Texas by holding 10 massage therapy events over a year period. The program is designed to reach adults 60 and older who have disabilities or are living in rural areas with limited access to services. Family caregivers of adults over 60 and individuals 55 and above who are relatives and family caregivers of children 18 or younger also qualify. The goal is to help these individuals reduce stress, lower blood pressure, enhance sleep and ease chronic pain through massage.
In “Bonding with Baby Program,” Jennifer Greene, working with the Kaleida Health/Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, New York, will teach new parents from high-risk environments infant massage techniques.
“We greatly value our ongoing partnership with the Massage Therapy Foundation to provide massage to individuals who might otherwise never experience it,” said Jean Shea. “Not only do the participants in these grant programs benefit, we feel the entire industry benefits from the knowledge we all gain about the healing value of massage for an ever-increasing range of physical and emotional problems and conditions.”
About the Massage Therapy Foundation
The Massage Therapy Foundation is a 501 (C) 3 public charity, with a mission to advance the knowledge and practice of massage by supporting scientific research, education, and community service. For more information on the Foundation, please visit www.massagetherapyfoundation.org.
About BIOTONE
BIOTONE, headquartered in San Diego, Calif., is the leading manufacturer of quality massage oils, cremes, lotions and gels as well as spa body and face and foot treatment products. Founded in 1980, BIOTONE is a family-run, woman-owned business. The company sells its products in the US and internationally. For more information on BIOTONE, please visit www.biotone.com, or call 1-800-445-6457.
Massage Therapy Foundation
Colleen Kruse, 847-869-5019, ext. 135
ckruse@massagetherapyfoundation.org
or
BIOTONE
Barbara Kohn, 650-342-9853
barbara@kohnpr.com
