Massage Envy® Raises More Than $477,000 to Fight Breast Cancer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Massage Envy's (www.massageenvy.com) annual  nationwide fundraising event, Massage for the Cure, provided 26,798 massages and raised more than $477,000.

Massage for the Cure, hosted on Tuesday, September, 14th, benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and helps fund breast cancer education, screening and treatment initiatives across the country. One-hour therapeutic massages were offered for $49, with $15 from each massage directly benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Affiliates. Additional donations were accepted, and all proceeds collected stay in the local community.

"We are delighted to have raised more than $1.8 million since Massage for the Cure began six years ago," said Massage Envy's CEO David Humphrey. "The enthusiasm of Massage Envy franchisees, employees, and clients has made Massage for the Cure a great fundraising success for Susan G. Komen for the Cure."

The nationwide event took place at all 633 Massage Envy centers in 42 states. Money donated during Massage for the Cure will help fund educational and community outreach projects. The funds will also sponsor screening and treatment initiatives in local communities.

"When a woman dies of breast cancer every 69 seconds, there is crucial work that must be done," said Katrina McGhee, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Komen. "Massage Envy has contributed significant funds through its Massage for the Cure program, helping to provide life-saving education, screening and treatment in local communities, as well as ground-breaking research grants. Without these funds, Komen would not be able to fund the amount of work that it does."

One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2009, it is estimated that more than 40,000 women and men died from breast cancer. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes and the disease claims a woman’s life every 69 seconds.  

About Massage for the Cure

Massage for the Cure is an annual, one-day massage therapy event hosted by Massage Envy® and benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, a global leader in the movement to end breast cancer. Since the massage therapy event's inception in 2005, Massage Envy has raised more than $1.8 million for Susan G. Komen for the Cure with 100 percent of the proceeds being used for education, screening and treatment programs in the community. Now in its sixth year, Massage for the Cure was held on September 14, 2010 at 633 Massage Envy centers across the United States. For more information, visit www.massageenvy.com.

About Massage Envy

Massage Envy, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. The national franchise of massage centers is dedicated to providing professional and affordable therapeutic massage services to consumers with busy lifestyles at convenient times and locations. Massage Envy Spa is its newest concept, offering Murad® healthy skin facials as well as therapeutic massages. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy has more than 630 locations in 42 states, with new centers opening every month. The company was recently named a top AllBusiness (a D&B company) AllStar Franchise, and is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA). For more information, visit www.massageenvy.com.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested more than $1.5 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

SOURCE Massage Envy