Running for a Cause

 

 

No matter how strong one person or an entire family is I know that strength is always tested. Cancer has put my family to the test more times than I will ever understand and beaten us more times than anything else. My mom is an only child and my dad has only one sister so our immediate family has always been small and close. Since I was 12 we have lost the battle to cancer four times, and are currently on our fifth battle for a woman who has already sacrificed too much. My aunt has lost both of her parents, her husband, and her first born son to this disease and now continues to fight her own battle.

As a small family, we have constantly pulled together and done what is necessary to stay strong, but I have often felt helpless or that I am not doing enough. So now, I am going to do the one thing I know feels right, I am going to run. I will be running in the NYC Marathon (my very first marathon) this November for the American Cancer Society DetermiNation® Team. Running makes me feel like anything is possible, and I know the more I run, and the more money I raise the more we will find ways to treat, prevent, and cure this disgusting disease. My goal is for Auntie and I both to cross our finish lines of this 20 year journey with our arms raised high in victory. We will win this time! And we will finally shout that one word we all, especially my aunt, deserves to hear - Remission.

You can support my efforts by visiting my personal page  and making a donation of whatever amount you can. Your donation will help the American Cancer Society save lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY11National?px=36633955&pg=personal&fr_id=62209

Thank you for all your support!

Lifting With Grace

Our very own Maggie Karl (Manager of Contract Manufacture) will be participating in a great cause for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Read her thoughts below on this unique charitable event! 

When I was a sophomore in college my parents called one night with some pretty bad news.  My Mom had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and was starting radiation treatment immediately.  Luckily, it was caught very early, and she is now a 10 year SURVIVOR in this fight.  So this year, rather than walk in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I decided to do something that pretty much completely horrifies her, in her honor.  I’ll be participating in a Barbells for Boobs fundraiser at my Crossfit gym (Crossfit South Shore LI) this Saturday, October 19^th.
 

Barbells for Boobs’ mission statement is to provide funding for qualified low income and uninsured women and men who need screening and/or diagnostic procedures in the prevention of Breast Cancer.  Every $80 that is raised provides a screening for someone who could otherwise not afford it.  My personal goal was to provide this screening for 5 people, and I was able to reach that goal this past weekend!  The workout most gyms will be doing is called “Grace”, which is 30 Clean and Jerks for time,(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_and_jerk ) with a weight of 135lbs for men and 95lbs for women.  However, my sadistic and wonderful trainer has confirmed that he’s cooking up something special for us, and we’ll have to show up to find out what’s in store. 

 

If you’re around and interested in watching, come by any time after 9am, it’s right around the corner from the Corporate Office.  Oh, and if you’re interested in donating to this cause, my team is only about half way to their goal at the moment, though we are ranked 42^nd of 813 participating gyms, which isn’t too shabby (please see below)! After I peel myself and my poor mother off the ground (me from exhaustion, her from having to watch me do this to myself) I’ll post pictures and an update.  Is anyone else fundraising this month?  Let’s hear about it!

 http://fundraise.barbellsforboobs.org/fundraise?fcid=260271

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day !

Written By Richard DeJoseph (Marketing Coordinator)

As our country’s Independence Day approaches this Monday, fireworks sales have sky rocketed, pun intended. Here in New York and many other states, casual firework use is illegal; however there are a number of areas where it is still legal. If you are going create your own fireworks spectacular, be sure to put together a 4^th of July First Aid Kit. Safety first! You should put the same amount of time into picking out sparklers and Roman Candles into the medical products that can come in handy in case something goes wrong. 

For starters, most home health stores and pharmacies carry a variety of medical products. Start with the basics like gauze sponges, tape, burn ointment or aloe, and adhesive strips. If your local pharmacy has a larger selection, emergency pressure dressings and conforming gauze are great items to have on hand as well.  

Once you are ready to start the show, make sure to read all instructions on your fireworks packaging. Despite what you may think, your novice pyrotechnic skills aren’t enough to rely on. In the event something goes awry, consult a first aid booklet or call 911. Burns leave scars, so be sure that you treat the initial wound with care; continue to care for the wound as it heals to lessen the chance of scaring. Better to remember the festivities with pictures instead of scars from a sparkler mishap; there’s nothing patriotic about that.

We hope that your Independence Day celebration goes swimmingly and without a hitch. But, a few minutes spent at the pharmacy can prove to come in handy in the event something does go wrong. DUKAL wishes everyone a great holiday weekend, happy birthday America! Land of the free, home of the brave!