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The instruments may not be the typical component for an afternoon at the spa, but they were an essential part of a therapy program on Saturday for Westmoreland Walks annual Spa Serenity Day at Aestique Medical Center and Spa in Hempfield Township.

"The thing here in the drum circle is to have another way to give expression to what's inside you," says Bonnie Harr, chief operations officer at Aestique. "Let it speak for you."

In its fifth year, Westmoreland Walks raises money for breast cancer research through its annual 5K walk/run. Part of the proceeds are used to treat Westmoreland County women recently diagnosed with breast cancer to a day of relaxation at the Spa at Aestique.

"We felt that they go through so much, that it would be nice to honor them and give them a day of education and relaxation," says Cheryl McMullen, one of the cofounders of Westmoreland Walks. "It's a wonderful program. The ladies are very touched by it."

McMullen, Harr and Kathy Brown founded Westmoreland Walks after they each lost someone to breast cancer. Their desire to do something positive has raised $175,000 for the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.

This year, 16 women were treated to spa treatments and therapy sessions. The women received three spa treatments, ranging from massages to facials, and a gift certificate to return for another spa treatment. The rest of the day is spent in a variety of sessions that are designed to help the women feel free to express their emotions and get back in touch with their bodies.

"It's incredible," Heather Gardener says.

Gardener, of North Huntingdon, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2005. One night while lying on the couch watching television, Gardener felt a lump in her breast. She knew it was cancer. By the end of the month, she had had surgery to remove the lump and was preparing to begin chemotherapy.

At 36, Gardener knew breast cancer was a possibility. Her grandmother and aunt had been diagnosed when they were 36 years old.

"I've had early mammograms," Gardener says. "I was aware, but I didn't let it control my life."

Since the diagnosis, cancer has become the dominating event in Gardener's life. The year was a whirlwind of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

"I feel like I lost a year of my life," says Gardener, who was married only a month before she discovered the lump.

After finishing her last radiation treatment on Valentine's Day, Gardener and her husband spent 10 days on a beach in Belize. Living in a thatched hut on the beach helped Gardener relax and fully embrace her new lease on life.

"I don't want to say cancer was a good thing to happen," Gardener says, "but it really made me get this increased awareness and appreciation of everything and everyone."

Gardener's experience helped her realize the extent of her family's love and support, and the support of strangers.

"It was refreshing, and it really took my breath away," she says. "It restores your faith in the world."

Gardener never sought help from a breast-cancer support group until the day at the spa. A friend of her family's invited her to attend the spa day, which is an experience she says she never will forget.

"I thought I don't need a support group, but when I got here, I realized how incredible it is," Gardener says, adding that it was refreshing to talk to women who have had the same experiences.

It is that connection between the women that spurred the creation of Spa Serenity Day.

"We designed (it) to be a day of connection," says Harr, who is a nurse and psychotherapist. "You can walk down the street and think you're the only one with breast cancer. Here, you can talk to other women with breast cancer."

Harr led the women through the Drumming Class, encouraging them to express their feelings by banging and tapping the drum. As the women progressed and became bolder, Harr explained how their fear of touching a drum and creating music is similar to their fear when they heard about the cancer.

"You're afraid of it at the start," Harr told the women. "Then you decide to not be afraid anymore."

The 5th annual Westmoreland Walks 5k run/walk will be held Sept. 30. The walk will begin at Aestique Medical Center in Hempfield Township and finishes at Twin Lakes Park. Registration deadline is Sept. 1. Details: 800-832-6501, ext. 133, or www.aestique.com/WestWalk.html.

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