Interns from both the massage therapy and doctor of chiropractic programs at National University provided care for participants in a Relay for Life event held in Downers Grove on June 27, 2014. Relay for Life supports the American Cancer Society by raising money for cancer prevention.

NUHS Massage Therapy interns (l-r) Heloise Allison, Krystle Conroy, Melissa Jane, Kelly Dixon, Dr. Patricia Coe (clinician), Cameron Tap, Amy Scott .

The local event was held at Downers Grove high school. Teams of participants walked around the track all night long, earning money for their efforts from sponsor pledges.  Many walkers were cancer survivors or those who have loved ones suffering from cancer.

NUHS DC interns (rear l-r) Christian Carroll, Dr. Nakiesha Pearson (clinician), Hiba Mizyed, Julia Cherner, Ryan Gawron, Andrew Smith, (front l-r) Robert Iliff, Kendall Banning .

As walkers grew tired, or experienced aches or pains, NUHS interns were there to help. Six massage therapy interns provided 68 chair massages, working in conjunction with DC interns who provided stretching and joint mobilization to 53 participants.

“The participants seemed very appreciative for the care our interns provided,” says Dr. Nakiesha Pearson, one of the two clinicians for the event.

Ms. Pat Genardo, assistant director of the NUHS Learning Resource Center, was also there, serving as a team captain and part of the Relay for Life – Downers Grove/Woodridge planning committee.

Supporting local Relay for Life events is just one of the many ways NUHS gives back to the local community while offering students a chance to practice their skills in wider venues.