With two survivors of breast cancer in her family, Copperfield Massage Envy’s Clinic Administrator Stacy Jones is all too familiar with the disease.

So the fact that her employer is giving free massages to benefit a cure on Sept 15 is more than just a labor of love.

After Jones’ mother, Mary Moran of West Virginia, underwent a full mastectomy and removal of a lymph node five years ago, she had to wear a battery operated pump that wrapped around her arm to drain the excess fluid caused from the lymph node removal.

“My mom specifically had a lot of inflation in her arm and she had to wear a brace to encourage circulation,” Jones said.

Her mother’s arm swelled to double the width of its normal size and stayed that way for three years until she went through therapy.

When Jones started working at Massage Envy, several of the massage therapists told her about the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage and encouraged her to see if it would help her mother.

From Texas, Jones researched massage clinics in her home state that performed lymphatic drainage and scheduled the massage sessions when she visited her mother.

After the first session, Moran experienced some relief, but by the fourth visit she was able to lift her arm above her head. Now, her mother now experiences full range of motion and no longer needs to use the pump to drain the fluid.

Jones said participating in fundraising for cancer has always been important to her. She’s participated in cancer walks and her mother and she have made booties for auctions.

“It’s always been important, but it’s really exciting that it’s here where I work,” Jones said about Massage for the Cure.

At 34, Jones has already had her baseline mammogram and makes sure she does monthly self-exams.

Jones said that she was unaware of the benefits of massage in cancer patients until her mother was diagnosed. But the therapy can also be advantageous for the healthy. Sixty percent or more of her clients at Massage Envy come for reasons other than relaxation.

“Overall, people who get massages call off from work less,” Jones said. “It helps your flexibility and your blood pressure. It’s aids in all over wellness, mentally and physically.”

Jones is passionate about educating clients about breast cancer during Massage for the Cure. In addition to helping to provide materials to educate clients, Jones if focused on helping raise even more money for “the cure” this year.

“Everyone knows someone who’s been affected,” Jones said, “and you’re getting a gift for doing it – a massage.”

During Massage for the Cure, hundreds of Houston-area massage therapists will give free one-hour therapeutic massages with tips benefitting the local Susan G. Komen affiliate.

Those looking to book an appointment can begin signing up Sept. 8. Call 866-553-3689 or visit www.MassageEnvy.com for more information.