The Touch of Relief massage event was held on campus Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event was sponsored by the Black Hills State University College of Business, and A Touch of Relief, with all proceeds going to breast cancer research. The event went well and raised money for the cause. The final amount raised has not yet been announced. The people giving the massages were from A Touch of Relief; a small business that is partnered with the BHSU College of Business. The College of Business has partnered with local businesses as a way to include more local businesses in the community.

Even though the Touch of Relief event was the day before Halloween, its timing did not stop students from spending money on a massage. Whether it was for the massage, or for the cause students continued to buy massages from the business’ employees. There were a few different types of massages that were available, and students got their choice. Whether students needed a chance to relax, wanted to experience a massage, or were a massage regular, there was an opportunity that was not normally there. This event was a great chance for students to have an experience that they may not have normally had.

This event allowed students to choose between three massage lengths, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes. Each minute of massage charged a dollar, and, as previously stated all proceeds went to breast cancer research. Many students spent the money and the time to donate to this cause and receive a massage for their donation. The massages were given in the student union, the benefit to this being that students did not have to go out of their way to attend. There were many students that attended this event because it was accessible. Had the event been held in a different location some students may not have heard about the event, or come to the event at all. Some students attended for the massage, while some others attended for what the money was benefitting, either way, it was for a good cause. The students that attended the event enjoyed themselves both during and after their massages. With the highest cost for a massage being fifteen dollars it stayed within the budget of many students on campus. Students that normally could not afford a massage could afford it, and the money was going to a good cause.

This was a worthwhile event not only for the relaxing effects it had on the students, but also for the money raised for breast cancer research. The staff of A Touch of Relief, and the BHSU College of Business put together a program that was beneficial not only to students, but also to many people around the world. The money raised for breast cancer awareness will give many women the chance for a healthy recovery and life that they may not have had before. The cost of a massage may be just enough to save a life somewhere down the road.