Dawn Seligman-McKay

October 2025 Issue

by Edwina Hoyle
Photography by Lindsay Gifford

Dawn Seligman-McKay moved to Bluffton just 18 months ago from Indianapolis, IN, but she has quickly integrated into the community to offer her 30 years of experience in elder care and breast cancer care. Dawn is a social worker and a counselor specialized in gerontology who also volunteered in various capacities with the Alzheimer’s Association in Indianapolis. She offered ADL (activities of daily living) training for CNA’s and other types of caregivers. While in Detroit, she was instrumental in opening one of the first assisted living and memory care assisted living facilities.

However, it’s her personal journey that inspired her to do even more.

At age 33, Dawn was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was pregnant at the time. “I got my diagnosis on a Monday and had my daughter that Friday. I was healthy, active, and young,” Dawn said. “Three years after I recovered, I wanted to give back, so I studied to be an oncology massage therapist and learned to understand when and how to give a massage when someone is going through chemo or radiation and how to go around ports.”

Almost six years ago, Dawn’s father was dying. “The rough part was he had metastatic bone cancer and was in severe pain. Two weeks after Dad died, I found out I had thyroid cancer, so I had genetic testing done.” Her father had markers for four types of cancer and carried two genes, Dawn carried those two genes as well. “I sat my 23-year-old daughter down and told her. The first question she asked me was, ‘Are you going to die?’”

“When I had breast cancer, I had chemo, radiation, and a double mastectomy. It was a year-long process. Thyroid cancer was the hardest. I had three tumors and 26 lymph nodes removed. After thyroid surgery, I was given radioactive iodine and quarantined for three days.”

The three-day quarantine was intense. “I had to wear gloves and limit all contact. I didn’t see my husband or dog for three days, and he’d put food for me at the door,” Dawn said.

Her body does not like thyroid medication, even now. “I can tell immediately when the medication has to change. Dizziness and heart palpitations have stayed with me. The dizziness is the worst part because sometimes I can faint.”

“I had cancer twice, so I understand. I’m a breast cancer specialist. With oncology massage, I deal with conditions that other therapists don’t,” Dawn explained. The massage is customized to the individuals’ specific health conditions, their treatment, and side effects such as lymphedema, surgical scars, pain, fatigue, anxiety, or nausea. Oncology massage uses light touch and slow, steady movements to reduce the risk of pain, fatigue, or injury, especially during active treatment.

“I help them get through treatment. The massage allows the body to relax, accept their treatment, and not get as sick. And I love to teach how to care for yourself, to work on your own scars, neuropathy, and lymphedema. For example, by doing 10 jumping jacks you can get your lymphatic system going,” she explained.

Healing can be a long journey, but it doesn’t have to be lonely or intimidating. All it takes is teaming up with someone like Dawn, who understands and cares. “If you’re going through cancer, I can relieve symptoms. If I can help, educate you, or give you some relief, don’t go it alone. Come see me, and let’s talk!”

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Up Close:
Don’t Forget: Dawn now volunteers locally for the Alzheimer’s Association at the Bluffton United Methodist Church and she also conducts a breast cancer support group at Latitudes/Margaritaville, as well as additional self-care teaching in the area.

Family: Dawn’s husband, Marvin, is a wine specialist who now works at Belfair Fine Wine & Spirits. They have a daughter, Mikaela.

Talk to the Plant: Dawn loves gardening, and her lanai is filled with plants. She said her retirement job will be working in a nursery.

Family Rescue: Dawn’s family lost their Shitzu before moving to the Lowcountry. She didn’t want to get another dog, but she has a soft spot in her heart for dogs who have lost their parents. When she learned about Patches, a 13-year-old Maltese whose parents died, she rescued her.

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Find a Support Group
Alzheimer’s Association Support Group for Caregivers:
4th Wednesday of the month at 1p.m. Bluffton United Methodist Church, 101 Calhoun St.

Healthy Brain and Body Caregiver Series:
2nd Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. at Bluffton Library 120 Palmetto Way

Memory Matters:
Conducts four different support groups: Call 843-842-6688

Breast Cancer Support Group:
1st Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. at Bluffton Medical Center, 75 Baylor Rd.

Breast Cancer Support Group:
2nd Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. at Beaufort Memorial Medical & Administration Center,
990 Ribaut Rd. Room 317, Beaufort