Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation’s 4th Annual Fundraiser: “Ragin Cajun”

The Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation (SJWHTF) will hold its 4th annual “Ragin Cajun”, a Mardi Gras themed dinner, dance, silent and live auction on Friday, March 2, 2012.

Each year, the attendance has increased with this year’s “Ragin Cajun” event selling out with over 300 attendees.

SJWHTF is seeking corporate and individual sponsors, gift basket and raffle ticket donations and public awareness of the popular "Ragin Cajun" Mardi Gras themed dinner, dance and silent and live auction fundraiser.

Next year's 4th annual "Ragin Cajun" event is on Friday, March 2, 2012 from 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm at the Palm Event Center in Pleasanton. The cost is $85 per person.

The event will be hosted by Jessica Aguirre and Mike Inouye, television hosts of NBC Bay Area news. With music provided by Pleasanton's Brad Kinney.

SJWHTF provides financial grants ranging from $500 to $1000 to cancer patients for complementary healing therapies; acupuncture, acupressure, therapeutic massage, guided/visual imagery and deep breathing meditation.

Many insurance companies do not provide coverage on complementary healing therapies for cancer patients dealing with pain and stress during chemotherapy and radiation. These therapies lessen their pain and assist them, in most cases, with a speedier recovery than conventional medical treatment, while helping to alleviate neuropathy, anxiety, stress, aches, fatigue, nausea and pain.

As of August 2011, 83 cancer patients have received grants. Beneficiary statistics are: Average age is 52, the youngest 4 and oldest 75, 84% are female and 16% are male, 38% are breast cancer patients, 76% are unemployed.

The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible for funds: Currently be under the care of an Oncologist treating them for any type of cancer and undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation and their insurance does not pay for these complementary therapies. They must reside in Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and San Ramon.

In a recent Mayo Clinic newsletter and website, healing therapies were acknowledged as a means to complement traditional medical therapies. The Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation concurs and provides funds to pay for such therapies. A recent thank you note from a beneficiary says it all, “I have been blessed to have massage therapy. It helped reduce a lot of pain and gave me a piece of heaven. Thank you so much.”