Stories Archives

Stories as told by Executive Director, Steve Gordon or clients of Hand to Heart Project, whether they be the caregiver or the person with cancer.

A journalistic endeavor that explores all things involved with cancer – living with it, dying, caring for someone with it, etc.

NH Gives 2024- In Her Own Words

June 7, 2024 // by Kristen Avery

We’re less than a week away from NH Gives! We wanted to share why Kate Freeland, former Hand to Heart client and current member of the Board of Directors will be supporting Hand to Heart during the event. “In 2018 I was blindsided by a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. Through the two years of …

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Looking Back & Ahead

January 4, 2024 // by Kristen Avery

Years from now, we will look back at 2023 as a very important year for The Hand to Heart Project. We saw more clients with cancer than we had in any other year, our team of massage therapists grew to 15 (and is about to grow again), we were blessed with tremendous financial support …

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In Memoriam: Cynthia Howe

September 28, 2022 // by admin

Cynthia Howe was a client of The Hand to Heart Project before she was a member of the board of directors. And she almost wasn’t a client.

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Guest Blog: A Caregiver’s Perspective on The Hand to Heart Project

March 22, 2022 // by admin

A guest blog post by Bobbi Rosenquest. After my husband’s cancer diagnosis, my life filled with strangers: medical professionals from oncology, physical therapy, radiology, neurology, urology, palliative care, along with pharmacists and mental health therapists. Behind each individual were nursing professionals and office personnel to schedule appointments, administer chemotherapy, order and adjust medications, and respond …

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What to Expect During a Home Visit

February 22, 2020 // by admin

We work in a calm, and tranquil setting. There is no “hurry” or stress. Just like a “normal massage” – wear clothing if you would like, or don’t. Our experienced massage therapists will make you feel comfortable and cared for. We will address problem areas during the full body massage. If there are any areas …

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Scenes from a Home Visit

January 15, 2020 // by admin

For your comfort and convenience, the Hand to Heart Project massage therapists come to your home. We set up a portable massage table. And discuss the therapy we intend to provide. Photos by: Abby McCoy, Hand to Heart Project Administrative Assistant

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Touch at the End of Life

July 25, 2018 // by Steve Gordon, Executive Director

Some years ago, I was trying to explain to my grandmother what I do for work. She knew that I was a massage therapist, but knew little about The Hand to Heart Project. So I told her about providing massage and the comfort of touch to people who are sick, in many cases people who …

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Poetry, and the Tree of Life

June 13, 2018 // by Steve Gordon, Executive Director

Some years ago, I recited a poem/blessing called “Beannacht” to a client who was going through an especially difficult part of her cancer experience. It was written by the late Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue, and it is, in part, a gently powerful summation of how the physical, emotional and spiritual pain of life’s …

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Dogs, Dogs, Dogs

May 2, 2018 // by Steve Gordon, Executive Director

I’ve always been a dog person, so it was a pleasant surprise after Hand to Heart was launched in 2007 that one of my favorite parts of doing in-home massage with our clients was getting to meet their dogs.

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Soul of a Caregiver

April 17, 2018 // by Steve Gordon, Executive Director

When you work closely with people who are very ill, often people nearing the end of life, you will sometimes see the human spirit at its most amazing.

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