Oct 30th, 2008

San Diego, CA
The wellness experts from San Diego's Spa Velia will donate the time and talent of their massage therapists to the 10th Anniversary San Diego Race for the Cure, sponsored by the San Diego affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, in Balboa Park on Sunday, November 2nd. Spa Velia will be in the Survivors' Tent starting at 6:30 am on race day, and will remain there throughout the entire event, providing chair massages to survivors until approximately 1:00 pm.

"We care deeply about women's health, and by volunteering to be involved, we have an opportunity to show our care and support for breast cancer survivors in a way that is hopefully relaxing and beneficial for them", Dana Stallings, Spa Velia Principal. "I look forward to being a part of this event each year simply because it is an honor to be involved with such courageous and caring people. The love and energy you feel in the air is simply overwhelming. Seeing the turnout of all the supporters, survivors, families and friends makes it a very emotionally charged day!" says Principal Jody Rogers. She and Stallings have provided massage therapists for the Survivors' Tent for many years. "We are thrilled that we can offer the time and talents of our own top notch staff," Stallings adds.  Their partner, Chris Guimond, agrees "Each year, we feel it is imperative to donate our time and energy to such an amazing cause, one that focuses on the CURE and not the problem.  The energy of gratitude and appreciation for life shines through everybody at the event and it is such a beautiful thing to be a part of!"

"This run and fitness walk is more than a race for runners or fitness walkers, It's a celebration of survival and the hope for a cure," says Samantha McDonald, president of the San Diego Affiliate. "Every survivor is honored with a special shirt and cap - and they are welcomed to the Survivor's Tent - a place of honor and nurturing, where they can come in and spend time before, during and after the Race. It is also an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to honor a loved one who has lost the battle with breast cancer, to show support of someone winning the battle now or to help raise funds to fight the disease." More than 15,000 participants are expected in the San Diego Race. 75 percent of the net funds raised in San Diego stay in the local community and are dedicated to programs that meet the breast health needs of the medically underserved. A minimum of 25 percent of the net proceeds from Race for the Cure supports the Komen Foundation Grant Program, which for the past 19 years, has provided much-needed funding for groundbreaking breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation created The Komen Race for the Cure® Series - the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. Since the first Dallas Race in 1983, the Komen Race for the Cure Series has grown from one local Race with 800 participants to a national series with over 1.5 million participants expected in 2006.

Twenty-two years ago in Peoria, Illinois, Susan Goodman Komen died of breast cancer at the age of 36. Before she died, her sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker, made a promise to Susan that somehow she would make it better for other women diagnosed with the disease. In 1982, Nancy G. Brinker fulfilled her promise and established the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Today, the Komen Foundation sets new standards for creative collaboration in the fight against breast cancer by developing awareness and fundraising campaigns with a blue-chip network of corporate partners, national and local media, as well as health and community organizations.

Spa Velia, nestled between the Columbia/Little Italy Districts of downtown San Diego, is owned by a team of three entrepreneurs -- with over twenty years of combined experience in spa management from some of the area's top spas -- who shared a vision to create an intimate, old world luxury day spa, unlike any other available in America's Finest City. The Spa's motto is "sensory perfection," and as a team of two women and a man, the owners understand how to cater equally to the needs of both male and female clientele. Spa Velia offers an expertly educated staff and features several one-of-a-kind amenities including the contemplative relaxation lounge, Swiss seven-head showers and the immensely popular Couples Suite. Since their Grand Opening in October, 2005, Spa Velia's business has continued to grow steadily, as city dwellers, business types and downtown hotel guests alike discover this unique, old world escape from the stress of daily life. Spa Velia is located at 401 West A Street, Suite 180 in San Diego (619.235.0000) www.spavelia.com