In 2004, a fellow church member gave Touch founder, Cheri Buttrey-Jenkins, the gift of a day at the spa. The healing effects of that day gave her the idea that led to the founding of Touch.

Cheri had been caring for her husband, Kenny Buttrey, who battled lung cancer for nineteen months before he passed away. The result of treatments had a devastating effect on Kenny physically and mentally, and required that Cheri provide constant care around the clock — sometimes not sleeping for more than twenty-four hours.

“Having ten minutes alone in the shower became a luxury,” said Cheri.

She was not only caring for Kenny, but also for the individual needs of their two daughters, ages fifteen and four. The demands of caring for Kenny alone were overwhelming, but there was still the responsibility of caring for her family, home and finances. Cheri knew her children were missing much needed attention and she found herself living in a constant state of worry, stress and fatigue.

For nineteen grueling months, Cheri transported Kenny to and from, what seemed to be, never-ending medical appointments and treatments. She administered medications and injections; changed bandages; fed Kenny through a stomach tube; bathed and shaved him; lifted him in and out of chairs; picked him up when he fell; lived in and out of the hospital; called for ambulance service numerous times; and watched her husband suffer and deteriorate before her eyes. He lost his short-term memory and each day when he asked why he couldn’t walk and why he was in pain. She had to explain that he had cancer and watch him receive the news as if for the first time over and over again.

These experiences took an emotional and physical toll on Cheri, as they do on all caregivers. Yet, she, like other caregivers, continued to take care of Kenny out of love and devotion.

“Who better than I to care for him?” She said. “I loved him. It was an honor and a privilege to care for the needs of my husband when he was unable to care for himself.”

After Kenny’s passing, Cheri and her children tried to get on with their lives, but there was a huge void, especially for Cheri. Not only was her husband gone, but also everything a husband represents — every role he fills — was also gone. He was her partner, companion and confidant, father to her children, provider, protector, best friend and more.  She found herself in such a state of despair and loneliness.

“I had to learn to be both mother and father, as well as provider and protector.  I had to make all the decisions. It wasn’t that I couldn’t…it was the reminder that I had to that was so bad. I was so sad and overwhelmed.”

A friend of Cheri’s from church asked her to lunch one day and instead of going into the restaurant, she took Cheri into the spa next door and left her there for the day. Cheri received deluxe treatment and was thoroughly pampered from head to toe.

“The attention I received lifted so much stress that I cried,” Cheri explained. “I was no longer the caregiver, but the one being cared for.  I had no idea how much I needed to be touched or how simple touch could relieve so much stress. The whole experience was calming and soothing, but it also had an intense cleansing, healing and strengthening effect on me. I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

When I was ready to leave, I found my friend had left dinner for my girls and me so I wouldn’t have to go home and cook that evening. What a wonderful surprise and blessing that day had been to me. I felt more focused afterward and better able to face the future — just from experiencing the healing gift of touch and so much kindness. I hadn’t realized how very necessary it is to our health to be touched.

That day had such a profound effect on me that I decided I wanted to help other caregivers in the same way,” Cheri explained. “Touch is the outcome of my experience as a caregiver. Our family’s ordeal and Kenny’s suffering were not in vain. Because of our experiences, many caregivers in the same types of situations will also be able to experience the healing gift of Touch.”

Cheri Buttrey-Jenkins

Cheri Buttrey-Jenkins
Founder and President of Touch, Inc.

Touch, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides the healing gift of touch to non-professional caregivers of terminally and chronically ill family members. 

Non-professional caregivers have demands placed upon them that create high levels of stress, which take a toll physically, mentally and emotionally. Touch was established to help relieve some of this stress through the gift of a day at the spa, where caregivers receive touch therapy and other services.  At Touch, we want to acknowledge caregivers and show appreciation and recognition for their daily sacrifice and unselfish acts of service.

Our mission is simple: Giving care to the caregiver through the healing gift of Touch.

Touch was born from the personal experience of founder, Cheri Buttrey-Jenkins, after caring for her husband, Kenny Buttrey, who passed away from lung cancer in 2004.