|
Putting My Feet Where My My
Mouth Is!
By
Dr. Lorraine Cassista
What
are your limits? We get to know what our limits
are by moving beyond them. Doing things to move
beyond my limits and move out of my comfort zone
is something I have done since I can remember.
I love trying new things! Well, once again I am
trying something I have never done before. Since
I teach patients to take care of their bodies
and exercise to stay healthy, I have decided to
put my feet where my mouth is by training to walk
in a 26.2-mile marathon to be held on January
6, 2202 to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society. While training to complete the marathon,
I will also be raising money to benefit this cause.
Walking
a marathon is something I’d never considered before,
but something tugged at me when I received the
brochure in the mail. I thought what better way
to set an example for what I preach and help others
at the same time. I’m following a training program,
have a coach available to me, a young friend who
enthusiastically signed up with me, and a team
of fellow walkers and runners to help me complete
this marathon.
The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a national
voluntary health agency supported entirely by
public donations. Cancer takes its toll, not only
on its victims, but their families as well. The
Leukemia and Lymphoma society raises funds for
research and also provides help and support to
patients through connecting patients with volunteers
who are survivors of leukemia and related cancers.
They also provide family members with support
through their family support groups. The society
is dedicated to raising funds for research and
patient services that improve the quality of life
of patients and their families with leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma. They
support five major programs of research, patient
financial aid and services, public and professional
education, and community services with 75% of
their funds going toward these programs. Leukemia
is the number one killing disease of children,
yet affects 10 times as many adults. Leukemia,
lymphoma, and myeloma are cancers that originate
in the bone marrow and lymphatic tissues. Hodgkin’s
disease is a specialized form of lymphoma.
While
my life has not been touched personally by any
of these specific diseases, it has been touched
by cancer. All cancers have two features in common:
cancer cells become abnormal because of altered
DNA and they accumulate in excessive amounts.
Both my father and father-in-law died of cancer
and my sister-in-law is a cancer survivor. My
dad died 6 weeks before my wedding and my father-in-law,
also a chiropractor, died while my husband and
I were still in chiropractic college. My dad didn’t
walk me down the aisle and my husband didn’t have
the pleasure of practicing chiropractic with his
dad. Our children never got to know their grandfathers.
Losses like that can never be made up. They serve
as a permanent reminder that we only have a very
limited time here on earth.
Over
the last several years, I’ve tried to provide
a service through writing this column that might
serve as an impetus for change in adopting a healthy
lifestyle for the mind, body, and spirit. I truly
appreciate the loyalty and numerous kind words
of my readers and thank you all for your support.
Life is truly gratifying when your life mission
includes helping others, therefore, I am counting
on support from you, my readers, fellow like-minded
people. Consider this an opportunity to help others,
like a random act of kindness, whereby the satisfaction
you get is in the giving. I have committed to
raising a minimum of $3250.00 to support this
cause.
Would
you please join in this effort and support me
in this endeavor by sending a generous donation?
Please send your check or money order made out
to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and mail
by September 30th to Dr. Lorraine Cassista,
1350 Lakeview Ave., Dracut, Ma. 01826. Your donation
is tax deductible. Maybe you can send $26.20 ($1.00
per mile). Or maybe you can contribute $50.00,
$100.00, $200.00 or more. Any contribution will
be greatly appreciated. The next time you go for
a walk, think of me. I sure will be thinking of
you! I thank you in advance for your support in
meeting this challenge. Feel free to include any
words of encouragement and inspiration. I’m sure
my feet will also thank all of you during the
last few miles for helping me through such a challenge!
|
