Cancer patients to have day at Manalapan spa

The Women’s Council for the Leon Hess Cancer Center will host its semiannual Spa for Spirit on Dec. 2 at Avanti Day Resort in Manalapan.

The Spa for Spirit is held twice a year to give about 30 cancer patients a day of relaxation, rejuvenation and beauty, according to a press release.

“The women spend the day getting facials, massages and having lunch — all in the name of health and well-being,” said Judi Morris, Spa for Spirit co-chair for the Women’s Council for the Leon Hess Cancer Center. “The Women’s Council created Spa for Spirit to help women who are going through chemotherapy or radiation therapy to feel beautiful and relaxed, and ultimately to help them to recover more quickly.”

Participants are treated to facials, massages, manicures, pedicures and cosmetic makeovers, and are invited to take part in discussions about health and well-being. All spa treatments are approved by Monmouth Medical Center’s Cancer Services’ clinical staff, according to the press release.

Funding for Spa for Spirit comes from the annual Power of Pink luncheon hosted by the Women’s Council each summer. The 2014 Power of Pink luncheon was held July 10 at Old Oaks, the private Rumson estate of Claire and Woody Knopf. Claire Knopf is the current Women’s Council president.

“Power of Pink is not only about breast cancer; its focus and that of the Women’s Council for the Leon Hess Cancer Center at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch is much broader, helping women in their struggle with many other types of cancer,” event co-chair Pari Harrison said.

Harrison said the 2014 Power of Pink luncheon will also benefit the Patient Infusion Unit at the Leon Hess Cancer Center.

For more information, call 732-923-6886.