Debra Jay is a licensed massage therapist and certified end-of-life doula based in Anchorage, Alaska. Through the Alaska Palliative Massage Initiative, she provides compassionate, in-home and facility-based massage therapy for seniors, individuals living with life-limiting illness, those at the end of life, and their caregivers.

Debra’s path to this work began when she became her mother’s primary caregiver after a stage-4 lung cancer diagnosis. Walking alongside her through hospice awakened a deep calling to offer comfort, dignity, and presence to others navigating similar thresholds.

Her approach blends therapeutic and relaxation modalities to ease pain, calm the nervous system, and nurture meaningful human connection. Guided by empathy and respect, Debra’s mission is to restore the healing power of touch for those who are often overlooked in traditional wellness settings, bringing peace, relief, and a sense of wholeness to every stage of life.

The Alaska Palliative Massage Initiative

Palliative Massage