Excerpts from 2013 Recognition Dinnner , Our Honorees ~ Rosemary Maginnis

This annual event is based on our motto, inspire, empower and strengthen, with each honoree representing one of the three words, but just like Evelyn Knapp (our inspiration) each honoree, past and present, bears all these aspects.

~Rosemary Maginnis~

"Being that it is our first year honoring a volunteer, we will begin with Rosemary Maginniss who truly portrays the word empower.

 

Rosemary has been with us from our very first wellness retreat in 2009. I remember getting her phone call, she had seen an article in “Natural Awakenings” about our organization and told me that she wanted to offer the gift of Reiki at our upcoming retreat.

 

I have to be honest, I (Debbie Hughes) had no clue what Reiki was and when conveying the message to Jacqui I kept calling it “reeeekee” so she really had no idea what I was talking about -- either way we were open and excited that a complete stranger wanted to offer themselves … with no expectations.

 

So what started with Rosemary introducing Reiki as a holistic healing method to us has evolved to her organizing Reiki circles at every retreat often bringing 9 or more other practitioners along.

 

She is always thinking of different ways to enhance the Reiki experience, she uses different meditations and at the last retreat was able to arrange for a sound healing therapist to deepen the healing process.

 

Words that are used by our survivors to describe Rosemary’s Reiki circles are powerful, touching, soothing, rejuvenating, beautiful, and empowering. This is all because Rosemary comes from a place of love and compassion.

 

She has taken on more of a roll then we even anticipated or expected and has tremendously helped us achieve what we set out to do and that is to focus on mind body and spirit healing.

 

Rosemary found Reiki on her journey to help reduce stress and anxiety, it became such a powerful tool in her life that she was called to leave a successful career in business to devote her life to the teachings of Reiki. She is passionate about it and her mission is to empower others on their own healing journey.

 

In addition to all the time and effort spent on our retreats, she supports every function, fundraiser or event AND is our “go to” prayer person.  Once we put out a “prayers needed” request she is always the first one to respond, last week she was even able to arrange a personal Reiki session for a friend who is hospitalized.

 

I am proud to say that Rosemary is my Reiki master, opening me up a whole new world of energy work.

 

In closing, I trust that everyone here will see why Rosemary is such a blessing to Strength for Life and why we are honoring her tonight.

 

Excerpts from 2013 Recognition Dinnner , Our Honorees ~ Lorine Seewald

This annual event is based on our motto, inspire, empower and strengthen, with each honoree representing one of the three words, but just like Evelyn Knapp (our inspiration) each honoree, past and present, bears all these aspects.

~Lorine Seewald~ 

Strength, to have courage, to persevere, to withstand adversity, fear or difficulty. 

All of these meanings clearly describe Lorine Seewald, but the one definition of strength that epitomizes her is endure.  

We met Lorine at our very first support group demonstration, which was held at Mather Hospital- this was prior to Strength for Life’s existence- back when Jacqui and I (Debbie Hughes) knew we were being called onto a path - we just didn't know what it was.  

Jacqui and I always refer to this first meeting as “our ahah” moment. Lorine and her peers spoke opening with us about the challenges they faced with a cancer diagnosis. That night determined how Strength for Life was to be formed. 

In writing this we realized that Lorine was actually involved in all of our “firsts”. Our first presentation, our first exercise class and our first wellness retreat. 

Now you know why she exemplifies the word “strength” - anyone who could endure us for this long deserves an award!!  

 

An obvious quality that we all notice about Lorine is her physical strength - she is admired and complimented on it and she sets a wonderful example to other class participants.  

One thing that may not be as obvious, because she is so humble, is her strength of character. Cancer was not her first and only challenge. The quote that comes to mind when thinking about all that she had faced is that “It’s not what happens to you it’s how you react to it that matters.” 

And Lorine has reacted to each obstacle in such a way so that it may benefit others.  She even started a non profit to help people deal with certain losses. In fact, policies that she put into place through her foundation are still implemented today.  

 

In class, she always offers kind words of encouragement and is what we refer to as the backbone to our clients.

 

She steps up to challenges, such as the one presented to her at our 2012 Evelyn Knapp Memorial Run. She registered for the flat 3k walk but instead completed the hilly 5k option, even running parts of it! 

Again - showing her strength and endurance - she is an amazing assets to SFL and we are blessed to have met her.

 

Thank you, Lorine, for helping to shape and for adding dimension to Strength for Life.



Excerpts from the Recognition Dinner 2013, Our Honorees - Mattia Terranova

This annual event is based on our motto, inspire, empower and strengthen, with each honoree representing one of the three words, but just like Evelyn Knapp (our inspiration) each honoree, past and present, bears all these aspects.

 

~Mattia Terranova~

 

Inspire, to fill with enlivening emotion, to affect and guide, to stimulate to action, to motivate...these words clearly describe Mattia!  

Mattia was introduced to SFL just before our retreat inSept 2012. Although she was hesitant to join in, she accompanied her friend and that’s where divine intervention stepped in.  

Each wellness retreat has its own personality and Mattia shaped the Sept. retreat. As most of us all know, she is one of a kind.  

If their was a participant that was shy or a bit reserved they were loosened up by Mattia’s personality. She was able to set the tone for the day and helped make that particular retreat one of our most memorable.  

Soon after the retreat and moved by the story of Strength for Life, Mattia became our voice to the medical community and others.  

She is passionate about being an advocate and inspires others who are living through a cancer diagnosis. Her mission is to educate newly diagnosed on what to expect in treatment and post treatment. She sees that there is lack of important information being provided and her focus is to bridge that gap making it easier for other who embark on their cancer journey.  

Mattia is outgoing - to say the least- and relentless is a term we feel describes her when she believes in something. 

The Doctors here can attest to that statement and so can half the business in Smithtown!!  

In between daily radiation treatment she worked her tail off for this event and we are so grateful for that!  

We see Mattia as a leader to others in this battle.  

Since her diagnosis is still new, treatment is still ongoing, she is determined not let the chemo, surgery or radiation hold her back, in fact just 2 weeks after surgery she was back in class.  

She did what she could and worked the muscles that she was able too, yet an example of how she inspires and uplifts those around her.  

And top it all off she will crack you up! She is so funny and will have you laughing in no time!!  

Mattia is the light in the class and the breathe too!  

Thank you, Mattia, for stepping out of your comfort zone and coming to our retreat, you have greatly enhanced Strength for Life and the lives of all those around you.

 

LIWA's 2013 Organization of the Year

 Come and celebrate with Strength for Life as we are honored

to be LIWA's 2013 Organization of the Year

 

 

“If you can't do great things, do small things in a great way.”

~ Napolean Hill

Press Release Thanking SCCC for the 2013 Spin-a-thon

I can't say how many of these press releases were sent out - always happy to see someone felt it important enough to publish......if ever you see one please let us know...

fyi - not page 1 this is just how it was forwarded to us :)

 

 

SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

RAISES $4500 + FOR LOCAL NON PROFIT WITH A SPIN-A-THON

 

Strength for Life is a grassroots nonprofit providing FREE exercise classes and wellness retreats for cancer patients/survivors on Long Island.

 

On April 17 at the Selden Campus and April 18 at the Brentwood Campus from 7 am – 7 pm spin instructors held classes every hour to benefit Strength for Life. The Founders of Strength for Life, graduates of the Fitness Specialist Program at SCCC Ammerman Campus, are blessed to be chosen as the beneficiary of this 2013 event.

 

The Department of Physical Education on each campus organized the event and did an outstanding job of promotion to support the Strength for Life organization and the programs offered at NO COST to cancer survivors.

 

Strength for Life just celebrated its’ 9^th Wellness Retreat at the Hyatt Windwatch hosting 20 survivors to a full day of healing complementary therapies, incredible guest speakers an overnight stay, meals and a hike on the last day. The $4500 raised by SCCC will sponsor the 10^th Wellness Retreat in September 2013.

 

Classes are held in East Meadow; Seaford; Bay Shore; Stony Brook and Port Jefferson and continue to add locations with interested participants.

 

Strength for Life will speak at cancer support groups extolling the benefits of exercise during treatment and in recovery. Since the 2010 American College of Sports Medicine revised guidelines there are numerous studies on the benefits of adding exercise to the treatment plan. 

 

Information about Strength for Life’s programs can be found at www.strengthforlifeNY.org; email to strengthforlife@optonline.net or by phone to 631-675-6513

 

 

 

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

~ Mahatma Gandhi