The massage community has a history of responding in times of crisis. Perhaps it's the compassionate nature of the work you do, or a reflection of who you are as people. It's probably a wonderful combination of the two.

The massage response to a crisis situation was no more evident than in the days, weeks and months following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Almost immediately, massage practitioners converged on the three disaster sites, in coordinated teams and as individuals, providing compassionate care with every ounce of energy they could muster.

Today, a new national crisis is upon us. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have been displaced from their homes - not just the dwellings they inhabited, but their homes - the family foundation; the place where friends and loved ones can come together and feel safe and whole in this all-too-uncertain world.

Massage Today offers its sincere condolences to all those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As we are a publication, finding ways to help beyond giving money, can be challenging. (Our staff was quick to donate money that was matched by our publisher.) Here's what else we've decided to do in this time of crisis:

1. Massage Today has created a Web page solely designed for massage practitioners who would like to take in a displaced massage therapist and/or help them find temporary massage work. If you have a position available, know someone who does, or simply have an extra room in your office (or home), post your message at http://displacedtherapists.massagetoday.com. While many displaced therapists may not have access to the Internet anytime soon, it's hoped that through word of mouth and other channels (e.g., we will be informing the American Red Cross that these opportunities are available), this Web site will serve its intended purpose.
2. Massage Today wants to share your story - your experience with the disaster relief effort, whether as a practitioner displaced by the hurricane or as a therapist from a neighboring (or distant) state who provided compassionate care, organized a donation drive, participated on a disaster response team, etc. In the coming months, we will do our best to publish as many stories as possible in Massage Today and on MassageToday.com. For more information, please contact us at 714-230-3150 or editorial@massagetoday.com.

The victims of Hurricane Katrina will need assistance beyond the immediate days and weeks ahead. They will need help and hope for months to come and the massage community - practitioners, publications, associations and other organizations - have the opportunity to come together and provide some sense of peace, comfort and stability to those affected by this horrible disaster. Whether you offer your massage services, your money, a job offer or even a room in your home, the difference you make will positively impact someone's life, and your own.