“The Hand to Heart Project is a special gift to cancer patients being cared for in the home. When my mother was in Hospice, the gift of soothing touch brought peace, relaxation and relief. … Massage supports the journey and the process of dying at home in comfort and peace.” — Daughter of a Hand to Heart Client

“What you people did for my wife was incredible. She was in so much pain, and she really looked forward to the massage appointments. I can’t thank you enough.” — Husband of a Hand to Heart Client

“My sister is a client/patient of Hand to Heart, and is also dying of cancer. … Sometimes we (the family) listen, but we can’t hear, hear by can’t speak and speak in tones usually reserved for errant children. I apologize for my deferential tone but can’t seem to stop using it in my efforts to help. The massage therapist massages, soothes and seems to comprehend the delicate balance between today and perhaps tomorrow. (He) is encouraging, enabling and healing. He has the gift of understanding and contemplating the scary process of dying. He does not judge, criticize or promise. He revives Elizabeth’s true self, helping free her from the moment for only a short time, but what a priceless time it is. Thank you.” — Sister of a Hand to Heart Client

“Getting to and through the many treatments and appointments was a chore; the Hand to Heart Project came to me and provided a respite, a quiet place away from the noise of treatments and worries, allowing my mind the space to relax, reflect and recharge.” –Former Hand to Heart Client

“My Mother, Patricia Mae O’Sullivan, was a recipient of The Hand to Heart Project for 3 years.  She had uterine cancer that had spread to her abdominal area and was terminal.

She met Steve Gordon with Hand to Heart in the beginning of her journey of living with cancer. This Program was perfect for my Mom because she received the healing touch of massage at home and did not have to travel. Steve came to our house. Car rides were awful for my Mom because anytime we would hit a bump it would make the tumors in her abdomen move, and therefore hurt. Also, winding Vermont roads would make her car sick. She looked forward to having Steve come, because it helped her body to feel better and it gave her a spiritual and mind-and-body lift.  It also made her feel like someone cared for her, took an interest in her; she could have this service for free and she did not have to travel anywhere. Having Hand to Heart come to the house was extremely helpful.  She could have the service in the comfort of her home.

After she received a massage she would tell us about these amazing visions/ images that she would see. For example, “red fire” leaving her body. Perhaps it was some cancer moving out and allowing her to live longer.
Mom and Steve developed a wonderful, trusting, true and genuine relationship.  As she became more sick, Steve was able to come more often, and the power of his touch really helped her to feel better for a little bit.

At the end of her life she was agitated. Though she had a strong faith and felt close to God, she did not want to go or leave us. She was frightened, sad, angry and upset.  We would talk calmly to her, hold her, tell her we loved her, try to relax her and control some of the anxiety with medicine.

In the end, when she was unresponsive, she was still tense feeling.  Steve came to give her a massage, and what happened then was truly amazing! I was holding my Mom’s tight hands and I felt her completely relax. I relaxed with her, and it was as though we were transported off somewhere, together, in a total state of relaxation and meditation. I have gotten to that state before on a couple of occasions, but to do it with my Mom, at such a crucial time at the end of her life, was such a gift. She relaxed more than she had in weeks. The familiarity of Steve’s touch, him knowing her and how she liked to be touched, really made her last days on earth very peaceful. She never tensed up again. She passed away very peacefully, and left our house with a smile on her face.” –Daughter of a Hand to Heart Client