LI2DAY 2017 raises $16,200 for Strength for Life

Strength for Life, a nonprofit organization providing free exercise classes, wellness retreats, nutrition classes and empowerment group sessions for cancer patients, is a beneficiary of the LI 2Day Walk. The LI2DAY was organized to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer and other cancer research, to benefit cancer sufferers, survivors, and their families, and to support organizations that are participating in such efforts.

The LI 2Day which is a 13.1 mile, one day walk was held on June 10th, 2017. The walk takes participants along a scenic route overlooking the Smith Point Beach and then through the local neighborhood. Participants had a wonderful lunch and then head back to Smith Point Bridge in the final procession and celebration of survivors which ends with a closing ceremony.

If you have not had the opportunity to participate or view this awesome event you will be amazed at the emotional celebration of these survivors. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out to become involved, this is an event worth your time and efforts. The next LI2Day will be on June 9th, 2018.

To our friends at LI2Day "Thank you so much for your support of $16,200 this year." As you know this is a tremendous help to our small grass-root nonprofit, and both your faith and support is extraordinary. We have really been able to grow throughout Long Island with your help.

Strength for Life, celebrating its 10th year, currently holds 12 exercise class a week spanning from the Queens border at Northwell Health out to Southampton Hospital, helping a total of 2600 survivors in our short lifetime. And as you may know, we just hosted our 22nd Wellness Retreat on August 5th, 2017 at the Hyatt Windwatch offering 20 new cancer patients/survivors an escape from their daily responsibilities and the opportunity to learn new tools to renew the mind, body and spirit. We also have our empowerment group which meets twice a month, walking groups during good weather and nutrition class.

Strength for Life expanded the programs to pediatric cancer patients and their families in 2016, this has been a slow start but it is gaining momentum. Below are the results of our surveys after the class participation. Unbeknownst to us at the start, the psycho/social aspect of these classes exceeds all expectations.

It is a continued pleasure to work with everyone involved in the LI2Day, from day one we felt welcomed, appreciated and supported in everything we attempted to accomplish, and for that we are grateful.

Thank you so very much Ginny Salerno, Kristie Moore and everyone at LI2Day.

Thank you to our walkers 'our team', our volunteers and our supporters.

You can contact Strength for Life at strengthforLife@optonline.net, or

visit our website www.strengthforlifeNY.org

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." 

~Helen Keller

CYCLE FOR STRENGTH 2017

BARBARA LARREA = INSPRIATION, MOTIVATION, STRENGTH!

Cycle for Strength 2017, the 4th Annual, what an INCREDIBLE event!  Barbara Larrea and the Wantagh World Gym Family really out did themselves this time!  Too many "thank you's" to go through - so many made this event a huge success and Strength for Life is so very grateful for everyone's hard work - ESPECIALLY to Barbara!  Her vision, determination, and commitment is what makes Cycle for Strength an AWESOME event!  

The ride starts with a video montage asking the crowd (95 riders!) questions such as "Why are you here?" "Why do you exist?" "What is your purpose?"  while Barbara voice overs (while spinning!) "the 2 most important days in your life are 1) THE DAY YOU WERE BORN and 2) THE DAY YOU DISCOVER WHY YOU WERE BORN! The moment you find your reason for being, when your "WHY" becomes clear" and then on the big screen you see  "When The WHY is BIG ENOUGH, The HOW is EASY"!  Motivated yet?? How can you not be!? I think many found their purpose through Barbara with Cycle for Strength, raising over $35,000 (so far, still going!) to help those with a cancer diagnosis be "Stronger than Cancer"!

THANK YOU BARBARA LARREA, WANTAGH WORLD GYM, and EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN 'CYCLE FOR STRENGTH' 2017!

On another note....Cycle for Strength raffle money will go to help Makenzie Cadmus, an adorable little girl who has a rare genetic skin disorder called Epidermolysis coincidence.  I had the opportunity to speak with Makenzie's grandma (the whole family was at CFS) and she told me that Makenzie's surgery is on November 13th - Evelyn's Birthday - no coincidence! Evelyn will help this little girl get through all she will endure, I am sure of that!  

Wellness Retreat #18!!

WOW!!!  Every.. single.. time..I get blown away.  How in the world do I have the privilege of being in the presence of these incredibly inspiring women (and men!)?  The stories of survivorship, intuition, getting put on a path-not a chosen one-and persevering…humbling to say the least. 

Our day started with Penni Niles, intenSati Leader, she took our group through powerful movement affirmations - incredible!  Some tears shed as she tapped into our inner child - powerful stuff!  Penni has been with Strength for Life for YEARS and we are so very grateful for her commitment to our organization.

Next up was our Strength for Life Exercise Class!  Flying solo, without my now retired gal Jacqui, I was able to synchronize a group wall squat, all demonstrated perfect form and we even had one champion hold the position for a full minute (way to go Michelle!)!  Such fun while learning to incorporate exercise into the treatment and recovery plan…1 request for a Florida class….Jacqui???!!!

Time for lunch and a chat about environmental toxins, food, and epigenetics…yes, I stole Dr. Siobhan’s lecture:)  Our resident N.D. is en route home from Switzerland, so Teresa and I did our best to provide the most valuable information from her powerpoint to our guests!  

On to EFT, Emotional Freedom Tapping, lead by Diane Gordon, EFT Practitioner.  Diane took the group through a series of techniques focusing on reducing their stress level by taking a negative thought and shifting the focus through affirmations and tapping on specific meridian/acupressure points.  Many ah-ha moments, emotional releases, pain relief, and some clothes shedding (don’t let your mind wonder…lol). 

Running a little over, we moved right into yoga with Kim.  Starting with a peaceful shavasana (yoga pose), Kim had our guests connect with themselves using breathing, body poses, and meditative sounds.  The whole theme was about going within and bringing the healing green light into their heart chakras.  Beautiful experience for all and certainly set the stage for our Reiki Circle up next.

Our signature event of the weekend, our FABULOUS REIKI CIRCLE, lead by the incredible Rosemary Maginniss, who continuously gives of herself to organize these magnificent circles - so very grateful for Rosemary!  We had so many reiki practitioners volunteer, the room was packed and the energy was palpable!  Add in the incredible tunes of Sound Healing provided by Donna Nesterck (who just happens to be one of our honorees at our upcoming Recognition Dinner!), you have a pretty powerful environment!  Our other honorees happen to be Reiki practitioners, Susan Ferro and Susan LaSorsa (who was away).  To see our guests emerge from the room with a look of relaxation and calmness is priceless, this is exactly what we intend for them to experience during this retreat. 

DINNER TIME!  Everyone was ready for a good, healthy meal after all the activity during the afternoon!  Great conversation, a lot of sharing, a little vino - perfect!

To tie this day up with a big ole’ bow was Gina Costa.  Gina, a breast cancer survivor herself, is a Life Coach with a special interest in helping other cancer thrivers on their healing journey.  Her whole session was really about taking a step back to look at your challenges and refocus your energy around them.  Gina empowered our survivors by giving them different methods of looking at 6 energy influences and how to shift their thoughts around them resulting in a new perspective.  Really important and easy information to follow and use.  Gina came from NJ to spend the day with everyone and she really added a great vibe to the whole event!  

After hours many stayed up chatting, connecting, and even using the jacuzzi!  So nice to kick back and relax after a packed day!  The next morning a recap during breakfast and Teresa introduced everyone to many self healing books and Angel Cards…what a way to end Wellness Retreat #18!  Also...take note of the artistic talent...our morning waiter sketched this during breakfast...amazing!

Thank you all who supported us along the way so we may provide these weekends FREE OF CHARGE to our guests, we could not do any of this without you!  Special thank you to our volunteers who share their gift of knowledge and time and bring such compassion to our survivors - you are incredible!  

Most of all, THANK YOU to our guests, you are all so amazing!  We learn so much from you and  it has been our honor to be in your company this weekend.  God Bless!