SAN DIEGO -- 10News honors Michele A. Rodgaard, LCSW, and Dr. Daniel Vicario as Co-Founders and directors of the San Diego Cancer Research Institute’s Integrative program. The non-profit complimentary program, which combines mind-body healing techniques and art therapy, was created in 2002 with the goal of easing the stress of cancer patients in the community at large, as well as their caregivers, at no cost.

In its fourth year, the Integrative Program for cancer patients and their families continues today with approximately 30 volunteers at the San Diego Cancer Center in Encinitas and Vista. These volunteers include professional Massage, Art, and Aroma Therapists, Reiki, Yoga, Qi Gong Masters and Instructors, Acupuncturists, and Nutritionists who give their time and skills weekly. Services are all provided at no cost to anyone suffering with cancer, as well as the patient’s family, regardless of where the patient is being treated. Both Vicario and Rodgaard spend many extra and unpaid hours at the SDCC and at home in order to ensure the success of the Integrative Program and coordinate its volunteers. They firmly believe in the integration of disciplines to improve the quality of life, and they are grateful to the San Diego Cancer Center for sponsoring the non-profit Research Institute from its inception.

The SDCRI’s Integrative Program gives patients a chance to have an activity to look forward to, while providing skills to cope with the challenges of cancer. The SDCRI’s intent is to provide a complement to standard medical care helping patients deal with the fatigue, depression, anxiety, and loss experienced with cancer. These complementary services are provided free-of-charge and available to the community of cancer patients and their caregivers at large.

SDCRI’s Integrative Program is slowly growing. Rodgaard would like to see this important program expand further, which is only possible with donations. Any donations go directly into patient care and expansion. The Integrative Program is also is in need of more acupuncturists, massage therapists, nutritionists, as well as other volunteers.

For more information, please contact the San Diego Cancer Research Institute at (760) 598-1711 or visit www.sdcri.org.