The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation and Elite Physical Therapy are partnering together to provide education and services to help people touched by breast cancer. 

“We are so happy to be working with Elite Physical Therapy, because their core values align with our mission, and we look forward to a long-term relationship with them,” Maria Gemma, executive director of the foundation said in a statement.

One of the ways the two organizations are forging their partnership is by having Elite run quarterly classes, at the Foundation’s Center. The topics include The Benefits of Exercise and Movement, Preventing and Managing Osteoporosis, What You Need to Know about Opioid Use, and Common Strategies to Self-Manage Low Back Pain. It is not uncommon for cancer patients to suffer with pain, reduced range of motion and even opioid addiction as a result of cancer treatments.

 “These topics are important, because the cancer treatments people had to save their lives can also have lingering side effects,” said Gemma.

 In addition, Elite is sponsoring the foundation’s Passport to Survivorship wellness expo in September. Passport is part of the annual Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life Weekend, hosted by the Foundation. Physical therapists from Elite will be on hand to offer mini massages, information and resources to attendees.

“We are excited and honored to formerly be part of the Gloria Gemma Foundation as a proud partner,” said Elite Physical Therapy’s founder and doctor of physical therapy Michael Nula. “Our Doctors of Physical Therapy are honored in their trust in us, and we look forward to a long relationship of working together to improve the health and lives of Rhode Islanders recovering from cancer.” 

The partnership also includes plans for an oncology therapeutic massage and lymphedema service for registered individuals of the foundation. Currently several Physical Therapists from Elite Physical Therapy are undergoing lymphedema certification, while the details of this service are finalized.

“We are excited that this partnership will bring more expert services and safe treatment options to more communities throughout Rhode Island,” said co-owner and Physical Therapist, Jason Harvey.