Meet Amy
Your Breast Cancer Self-Care Specialist™. Oncology Massage & Lymphatic Drainage Therapist.
Entrepreneur. Obsessive Learner. Dreamer. Connector. Rabid Traveler.
“Overalls” Enthusiast. Pottymouth Pollyanna.
BRCA1+ Breast Cancer Survivor.
I didn't intend to work with cancer patients.
I went to massage school in 2011 so that I could leave the corporate world and find work that felt meaningful.
But the universe has a way of delivering what we need, even when we don't know we need it.
My breast cancer story is different than most.
Most women diagnosed with breast cancer - up to 85% - have no familial history or known predisposition to the disease.
I had my first mammogram at 23.
Growing up BRCA1+ with a long family history of breast and ovarian cancers I knew it could be me one day.
My career has not only allowed me to support others in their healing but ultimately to help heal myself after my own breast cancer diagnosis in 2017.
My professional knowledge and training enable me to consistently make informed and confident choices throughout life in survivorship.
Now it is my mission to empower women everywhere with these same skills to find their own self-care confidence.
My Story.
Credentials & Experience
Specialized training and experience is critical when working with someone who is navigating a life-altering health challenge like breast cancer. I am an eternal student of my field, constantly working to hone my knowledge and hands-on skills, to support my clients body, mind, and soul.
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BCTMB - Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (621607-12)
CMLDT - Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist (Monarch)
LMT - New York State Licensed Massage Therapist (029431-1)
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Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) - Professional Member since 2013
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) Professional Member
Breast Cancer Network of WNY - President, Board of Directors (2023-2024)
Vice President, Board of Directors (2021-2023)
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center & Roswell Park Care Network - Preferred Oncology Massage Therapy Contractor (2018-2023)
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I currently hold > 2000 hours of academic and practical training in a wide range of bodywork modalities. This includes professional education and hands-on training since 2011 including but not limited to:
Advanced Oncology Massage Mentorship with Tracy Walton, a pioneer in the field of Oncology Massage
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Certification with Monarch Continuing Education (LANA approved)
Scar Tissue Mobilization for the Post-Mastectomy & Radiotherapy Client with Healwell Integrative Health Therapies
Scar Tissue: Changeable not Breakable with Cath Ryan and Healwell Integrative Therapies
Oncology Massage Training with Cal Cates of Healwell Integrative Therapies
Hospital Massage Training with Healwell Integrative Health Therapies, providing in-patient care to those in Intensive Care, Oncology/Medical, Palliative Care, and In-Patient Rehabiliation units
Opening to the Mystery: Presence in Caregiving at the End of Life with Cal Cates of Healwell
Life Beyond Cancerland
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My Husband & Family
The people I love and who love me are really what holds me together. I got lucky that those I was born into and those I chose are equally as special and amazing.
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Buffy The Vampire Slayer
If you know you know. She saved the world a lot, and a few times, she even saved me. (For my fellow Buffyverse fans, are you team Spike or Team Angel?)
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Traveling the World
I have yet to meet a country that doesn’t have something so unique and special that I wouldn’t want to come back. The farthest I’ve been is New Zealand but these cliffs in Portugal call to me every few years!
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Tattoos
I have several and they all have meaning to me. This one says “rigged” and covers up my port scar. It comes from Rumi “live life as if everything is rigged in your favor.” And of course three little birds to remind me that every little thing is gonna be alright…
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Creativity & Learning
Ohhhh shiny! I love to learn and explore my creativity. I often come back to music and art, most recently working on my endless French lessons, my acoustic guitar, and watercolors just for fun.
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Kenny Rogers
My first concert, my first crush, and the album that helped me know my guardian angels were with me after my diagnosis. My favorite Kenny song that most people wouldn’t guess is “The Greatest”.
My Core Values
Who we are matters just as much, if not more, than what we do. In both work and my personal life I try to lean on my values to guide my way just as I encourage you to explore yours in our work together as you begin your self-care journey. Many of these have evolved from interactions with beloved clients and I hope you might find one to carry with you as well.
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“Love is the answer, and you know that for sure”. - John Lennon
To me love in all forms is the ultimate guiding value. It encompasses Kindness, Compassion, Empathy, Beauty, Honesty, Connection, Passion, Service, Inclusion, Anti-Racism and so much more. When I lead with love I know that it is hard to go wrong.
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“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - Nelson Mandela
Freedom is a luxury that is sometimes given and a right that is often hard won. To me it means Autonomy, Confidence, Self-Reliance, Safety/Security, Empowerment, Wealth, Exploration, and Equity and I work to create it for myself and the world.
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“I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Curiosity is the fuel that feeds growth through Creativity, Expression, Reflection, Optimism, Openness, and Courage.
When used with intention and purpose curiosity leads to great things without harm or gossip.
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“If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal at any moment.” - Carlos Santana
To me joy is a feeling worth striving for yet attainable every day. It includes Fun, Adventure, Calm, Happiness, Gratitude, and Ease.
This isn’t blind positivity but means being fully present in all of my feelings with the intent to find growth in experiences.
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“Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations.” - Jean-Paul Richter
For the earth, for others, for myself.
Drawing on Self-Compassion, Efficiency, Integrity, Stewardship, Thoughtfulness, and of course Action to ensure that not only do I leave this world better than I found it but that I honor myself in the same way.
Work With Me
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Empower Yourself
These resources are designed to fit into your life with ease, so that you can play an active role in your healing whenever and wherever is best for you.
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1:1 Support
For those who need a helping hand, I offer personalized support tailored to your needs—whether it’s hands-on care in Buffalo, NY or expert guidance online wherever you are.
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Professional Mentorship
Are you a massage therapist or integrative practitioner seeking to get started or refine your approach working within the cancer community?
Amy is a true holistic healer - mind, body, and spirit. She is the rare combination of professionalism and "woo woo." She's thorough and knowledgable yet creates a peaceful and calming space for healing. I also appreciate that she's teaching me how to care for myself and my lymphedema. I highly recommend Amy as a massage specialist for breast cancer survivors