A year ago, Naturopatica announced its Oncology Care Program, which offers massages to cancer patients through spas and a partnership with Mount Sinai Hospital. Shortly after this announcement, Naturopatica CEO Cathy O’Brien was herself diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. The company is now expanding this program to further support cancer patients.
O’Brien was in Wisconsin to visit Kohler Waters Spa, one of Naturopatica’s partners, before heading to Palm Beach, Florida to open the brand’s new spa at The Colony. At that time, I received a call from my doctor informing me of the diagnosis. She texted Mount Sinai’s chief surgeon and immediately scheduled an appointment to determine a treatment plan.
“I had surgery to remove the tumor two days before Thanksgiving, and my first round of chemotherapy two days before Christmas,” O’Brien said. “What was really cool about this experience was getting to experience everything we do in real life. It actually works. When you experience it, it changes your body.”
On her first day of chemotherapy, one of the therapists offered to give her a massage, not knowing she was recently affiliated with the hospital. O’Brien remembers the experience fondly and said she received a massage during every session.
O’Brien, who has experienced massage and completed treatment herself, is on a mission to expand Naturopatica’s services, especially for cancer patients. Specifically, the brand is working on three products for people undergoing treatment that will cost about $20 each. The brand had considered launching a single product, but O’Brien said his experience led him to realize that there is no one-size-fits-all product. A versatile solution.
“Going through that made me realize that nothing is one thing,” she said. “We are currently working on three facial and body radiation products that will be at a significantly lower price point.”
During her treatment, O’Brien found herself applying products such as Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream and Carrot Seed Soothing Facial Oil throughout the day, so these products are kept in tubes to carry with her. All of these products are oncologically safe.
In addition to oncology treatments in partnership with the spa and Mount Sinai, Naturopatica has a similar partnership with Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. Additionally, the team is training more people at professional spa partners across the country, including Kohler and Miraval.
“We want everyone to be trained,” O’Brien said, adding that he is also on a mission to ensure that insurance covers this type of treatment.
Naturopatica is on a year-round mission to alleviate pain for cancer patients, and during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we will donate a portion of our sales to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Mount Sinai.
O’Brien is currently celebrating one year since his diagnosis, and his birthday is coming up in December. While friends suggested a big trip, O’Brien decided he wanted some time to himself to reflect on the past year, so he headed to The Ranch Hudson Valley.
“I just got to be alone and just do what they told me to do, move my body, experience the treatments, the movements, the walks, everything, just clear my head and actually take some time to do things. ‘I’m going to be able to think about what I want to do for myself in the next chapter,’ she said.
