Free massage event an opportunity for students to practice, give back to first responders

A MacEwan University massage therapy student works with a first responder during the 2025 Massage for a Cause event on Dec. 4. (Darcy Seaton / CTV News Edmonton)

Dozens of first responders received a free massage on Thursday from MacEwan University massage therapy students.

• Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News Edmonton, right at your fingertips

A total of 78 first responders signed up to participate in the annual Massage for a Cause event.

“They get to practice. They get to see a different clientele,” said associate professor Jeff Moggach of the benefits reaped by the 26 participating students.

He added, “(It’s) very gratifying. It’s a pretty simple way for us to give back. Our students are always super excited for this day and a lot of them have direct connections with first responders and dealt with first responders over the years in various situations, so this is an opportunity for them to provide health care and promote some wellness to these individuals.”

Since the event launched in 2015, some 300 students have provided about 900 massages to local police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and military members.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Darcy Seaton