Breast Cancer Awareness Month Contributes to Strength for Life

As a beneficiary of all the attention given to breast cancer awareness month – we are grateful for all the support. Although Strength for Life is open to any adult survivor regardless of age, gender or cancer diagnosis – the response in October was overwhelming.

Three separate fundraisers brought in over $23000 which is monumental for a small grassroots organization like ours.

Fun and laughter at Aunt Barbara’s Tupperware Event – this is by no means your ‘run of the mill’ Tupperware party.  Relish Restaurant of  Kings Park hosted the fun-filled evening and $1500+ were the net proceeds for Strength for Life.  Kudos to Aunt Barbara and all our guests, videos and stories shared on our FaceBoook page showed just how much fun shopping for Tupperware can be.

On October 11^th, Barbara Larrea of World Gym Wantagh orchestrated “Spin for Strength” suggesting each rider honor a friend or relative by raising a minimum of $300 for a two hour epic ride. The 40 spin bikes at World Gym Wantagh sold out, and the donations came flooding in.  World Gym rented another 15 bikes and they promptly sold out. Live percussionists and a video montage of the honorees advanced the powerful and emotional atmosphere of this event. 

The response before, during and after was overwhelming…over $20,000 was raised by the efforts and enormous energy put into play by Barbara Larrea. We were speechless when she handed over $14000 in cash and checks on top of the $6000+ coming through our website. Kudos to all the sponsors, riders and World Gym Wantagh for hosting this incredible gift to us.

Fitness Plus of Port Jefferson Station hosted a Spin-a-thon under the suggestion and guidance of Deanna Manzon on October 18th.  Riders were asked for a $10 contribution per hour for a 4 hour span of spinning.  One strong and crazy ‘over achiever” lasted the complete 4 hours – Kudos Michelle! The 19 bikes were filled for many of the sessions, raffles and hand painted wine glasses (‘I love to Spin” or Cancer Awareness Ribbons) thanks to Kiki netted Strength for Life $1650+.  Thank you again to all the riders and instructors Deanna, Kiki and Danielle.

To put this in perspective for a small grassroots organization – these funds can easily pay for 3 wellness retreats, hosting 20 survivors for an overnight stay and nourishment of mind, body and spirit through the classes and presentation and camaraderie of the event… AND equipment for 300 new survivors to attend our classes.  Strength for Life offers FREE exercise classes at various locations on LI and provides the equipment so the ‘thriver’ can continue their exercise prescription at home.

Information on our class schedule and retreats can be found on our website www.strenghforlifeNY.org,  

New locations are continually added to make it as accessible as possible for survivors to commit to an exercise program. 

Strength for Life classes are held by Cancer Certified Exercise Specialists and the classes can be safely added to the treatment and recovery plan with clearance from the individual’s medical team. In 2010 the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) updated it’s guidelines for cancer patients to “AVOID INACTIVITY” and our mission is to provide these classes and retreats at no cost.  These fundraisers, and your donations, make this possible.

Thank you to each and everyone who supported these events in anyway – we are forever grateful!

Our 5^th Annual “Run to Remember” will be held on 11/23/14 at Sunken Meadow State Park where there will be something active for the whole family – a Kid’s Fun Run, 5K Challenging Trail Run, 3K Wellness Walk on the Boardwalk…please consider joining us.

Donations are always welcomed – you can donate via PayPal, NYCharities, Cash, Check or Money Order mailed to 902 Constance Lane, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776.  

Thank you!