In addition to assisting one of our community members, we have been true to our promise to encourage our community members to keep moving. We are proud to announce "The Final Friday Fun Run!" The last Friday of each month at 5pm anyone who is interested will meet in front of the Athen’s Theatre to run/walk the race route finishing at The Grotto. If you can’t join us for the fun run we welcome you to stop by the Grotto to enjoy fellowship and drinks from 5:30 -9pm. The Grotto has been generous enough give 15% of their proceeds from each "Final Friday Fun Run" to the ME STRONG foundation. Hope to see you all there for our next run on May 25th.
“Race you to the Grotto!”
2012 WEST VOLUSIAN OF THE YEAR...LINDA RYAN
IN THE NEWS!!!...From the Beacon
So far, 2012 has been a rough year in West Volusia for cancer, thanks to a determined group of women.January featured the MeStrong 5K, a benefit organized by friends of Linda Ryan, to support Ryan’s years-long battle with recurring cancer. The race exceeded the women’s expectations, raising enough money to support three cancer-fighting causes. “It was wonderful,” Ryan said. “We hoped for 300 participants; we had 875 participants. It was such a great event, and the feedback has been overwhelming.”Proceeds from the MeStrong 5K in Downtown DeLand were given to MD Anderson in Houston, to support cancer research, and to Parker’s Pals, a charity started by the family of Parker Underwood of DeLand, who died from cancer in 2007 at the age of 28 months. Parker’s family, finding that few agencies offered help at that time to very young cancer victims, started a network for the families of cancer patients age 3 and younger.Less than a week after Ryan presented the check to fund research at MD Anderson, she found out she is now cancer-free.“It’s kind of surreal, having cancer one day, and not having it the next,” she said.
But West Volusia’s battle against cancer wasn’t over.The third beneficiary of MeStrong was one of the women who helped make the race a reality: Diane Shadgett.With her partner David Tully, Shadgett owns Sweat Equity, a gym in DeLand. She donated training each week to people who wanted to get in shape so they could participate in a 5K run. “She and I have become good friends,” Ryan said.
The two women share a similar story. Cancer can’t keep them down. Shadgett was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Like Ryan, she has had cancer more than once. Twelve years ago, she had surgery for cervical and uterine cancer.Ryan and Shadgett both feel that being in great physical condition has helped them win against cancer.When she was pronounced cancer-free, Ryan had just run a marathon and was in the best shape of her life, she said.Before starting chemotherapy this time around, Shadgett was working out five or six times a week. She has reduced that to two or three, but still teaches pilates at Sweat Equity. “Due to me being in good health, they’re using one of the strongest chemo drugs,” Shadgett said.
Sweat Equity recently staged a “Bench Press for Boobies” charity event to help Shadgett with her medical bills. She will be undergoing treatments and surgery through December.Shadgett said “Bench Press for Boobies” will be an annual event. “We will be doing it yearly to assist another needy person with cancer,” she said. Shadgett enjoys giving back. In December, Sweat Equity hosted a Zumba charity flash-mob. The 60 participants collected warm coats for donation to The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia.
We are proud to announce that Vickie Pleus and "Linda's Run for the Dream" 5k by ME STRONG won an FPRA Judges' Award last night at the Florida Public Relations Association - Orlando Area Chapter Image Awards program in the special event category. It's a very competitive category!
BENCH PRESS FOR BOOBIES
Matthew and I had a great time yesterday at Bench Press for Boobies. It was wonderful to see so many people come out and support Diane. I benched 70 lbs and Matthew benched 95. He wanted to try more after the event and went on to bench 105 lbs -his body weight! Thank you to everyone who sponsored us. ME STRONG is stronger because of your support!
A B O U T U S
What's the vision for ME STRONG?
I envision ME STRONG becoming an organization that helps friends and family deal with a cancer diagnoses that affects a loved one. ME STRONG aims to help through financial assistance, education, medical resources and by helping them navigate the myriad of emotions and scenarios they may encounter. ME STRONG asks, "What will be helpful to help the patient and the friend who loves her? How can we support the family and friends who are struggling, too?
What's behind the name "ME STRONG"?
"ME STRONG" was inspired by an unknown woman running through Boston Public Gardens as Linda and two friends strolled by. The woman looked strong and confident. "ME STRONG WOMAN!" they all laughed. When Linda decided to blog about being diagnosed with cancer it seemed fitting to call it "ME STRONG." After all, she was being challenged to be strong and confident during this fight for her life.
What is "Linda's Run for the Dream"?
The idea for "Linda's Run for the Dream" 5k Run/Walk was conceived be four of Linda's close friends whom, together with Linda, call themselves the " The Living the Dream Team." These four women wanted to do something to help Linda in her fight against cancer. The 5k walk/run would allow all of the energy of Linda's family, friends and community to be channeled toward a positive event that benefits the entire community as well as the people who participate. We believe there is nothing more uplifting than finding the good in something as scary as cancer. And being strong, physically and mentally, is the best defense for whatever battle you may fight.
One of Linda's favorite quotes is, "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about dancing in the rain." Since her cancer diagnosis, she has been doing just that.
Join us in being challenged by the ME STRONG initiative. Search our website for information about how you can get involved in creating a healthy community while helping cancer patients and their friends and family.
