Heavenly Facials, Adamite Bodyworks, and Judy Micale & Associates, Inc. held “Open House for a Cause”, Thursday to kick off the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This event support the Joanna Francis Living Well Foundation, which aims to provide financial relief for both patients diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and their families.
The open house was free and open to the public. Local residents were invited to an afternoon full of wellness featuring free massages, healthy snacks, and discounts.
The center’s services are not limited to facials, therapeutic massages and yoga, but leadership, communication workshops and counseling.
Dr. Suzanne Kirayoglu, massage therapist and owner of Adamite Bodyworks, explains the importance of holistic therapy in order to prevent breast cancer.
“I love to show that there are alternatives. I would love for us to be able to donate and let people know that maybe, if anything, lifestyle is a contributing factor to these things,” Kirayoglu said. “Massages and even facials are all stress reducers”
The goal of the event was to bring together alternative health methods in order to prevent and target diseases, such as breast cancer.
“Massage, diet, sleep, and genetics are contributing factors. Massages give you that energy, it helps break up stress and keeps things flowing. Take your health and wellbeing into your own hands,” Kirayoglu added.
According the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the second most common cause of death amongst women of all races, while black women were more likely to die from breast cancer than other ethnicity.
Gretchen Waldo, a Tallahassee resident and participant at Sister Study, who assisted with the event, shared what Open House for a Cause means to her.
“This is such a wonderful peaceful place when you walk in,” Waldo said. Everyone is trying to help you be calm and help you address your life from a place of peace, that’s really the way to do it,” .
One in eight women will develop cancer over the course of their lifetime, states the American Cancer Society.
“I lost a sister to breast cancer about 20 years ago, she was 44 years old. Because of her, I am taking part in a national data gathering campaign called the Sister Study,” Waldo added.
Guests filled the building and checked out as many of the services as possible.
Stephanie Waldo, owner of Southern Velvet Cafe and resident of Tallahassee, remembers how multiple members of her family were affected by different forms of cancer, including her great-grandmother who introduced her to baking in middle school.
“This serves as a constant reminder that cancer could kill you,” Waldo said.” I support everybody that has to go through something that terrible. Cancer sucks, we’re helping.”
Florida A&M University will also participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the #PaintitPink campaign starting October 9. Mammograms will be offered as well as t-shirts.
If interested in receiving any wellness services, visit Heavenly Facials, Adamite Bodyworks, and Judy Micale & Associates, Inc. at 2700 Apalachee Parkway, Suite A.