$5,200 Raised in 2010! Thanks for Supporting Rally for the Cure!

October 15, 2010 – Aspen Athletic Clubs.  One of the most poignant moments at Aspen’s 2009 Rally for the Cure was when Keynote Speaker, Diane Boyd, asked the participants a few questions.  Diane, a 26 year breast cancer survivor, was flown in as a surprise to Gary Scholl, Aspen’s Director of Tennis and her son, to tell us her story.   As Diane spoke, she asked the participants to stand if they knew a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer.  She then preceded…a friend, a neighbor, an aunt?  Within 3 questions and what seemed like one degree of separation, the entire room was silently standing.  We all know someone…someone who has been affected or touched by this disease.  This is why we Rally.

This year Aspen’s Rally Speaker and Guest of Honor was Cyndee Cox.  And like Diane, her story is one of strength, perseverance and determination.  Cyndee is a 44 year cancer survivor, and breast cancer is just one of 5 cancers she has battled throughout these 44 years.  Some did not know Cyndee personally, but there was a good chance they were one degree of separation away from her husband, Steve.  Steve has been a member and tennis player at Aspen and throughout Des Moines for years.  I met Steve at Aspen, but it wasn’t until we traveled together on a mixed team that I heard of Cyndee’s struggles.  Although Cyndee “does not talk about it a lot,” she agreed to have her story told for this year’s Rally.  Her life is truly inspiring for those who are still struggling and for all those who continue to Rally for the Cure.   It is a life of survival: about not waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.   This is her story.

Cyndee and Steve met in October (22^nd to be exact) of 1966 on a blind date.  Steve was instantly smitten with Cyndee and her beautiful, long blond curls that covered fine, shorter, softer, dark red (her birth color) curls at the hairline of her neck.     Later, he would find out, the change in hair texture and color that he so noticed on that first date only comes from new growth after cancer treatments.  Cyndee recalls she was equally attracted to this guy who played the guitar and could make her laugh.  That was 44 years ago.   Shortly before their first introduction in 1966,  Cyndee’s survival began when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of eighteen.    She proceeded with what was recommended in those days – weeks of radiations treatments surrounding the area of her neck where the tumor was removed.  Her doctor preformed what would be Des Moines first Lymph Angiogram, a 4 ½ hour procedure that would detect if the cancer had spread to her abdomen.  Groups of doctors, interns, nurses and administrators watched as this first-of-its-kind procedure was performed in Des Moines.  Many of these same observers were there with Cyndee, cheering, when the results of final tests came back negative. 

Then in June of 1983, Cyndee was diagnosed with cervical uterine cancer.  She had a hysterectomy and she once again carried on until October of 1987 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although Cyndee had already become all too familiar with the “C” word, it was when she was diagnosed with breast cancer that she was the most scared.  With three boys, David, Spencer and TJ, the youngest only in 3^rd grade, she remembers praying that she would live long enough to see him graduate.   She would proceed with a lumpectomy and still more radiation.  Steve and Cyndee recall the doctor going to the archives in the basement of IMMC to retrieve x ray/radiation records to review so that the procedure would not re-radiate the same vulnerable tissue that was so heavily targeted in 1966.   The procedures were successful.

Again, Cyndee was moving on with her life.  Then in 1997, the very year of TJ’s graduation from high school, another storm…more rain… rectal cancer was detected.  Cyndee recalled the moment when she asked to renegotiate her previous terms:  This time “I hoped and prayed I would live long enough to be a grandmother and, if so,  I would be the best grandma I could possibly be.”   After enduring yet more radiation and this time chemotherapy, Cyndee was pronounced cured of this cancer.  In 1992, 2001 and again in 2005, Cyndee has been treated for skin cancer.  During these treatments each cancer was removed and upon examination was further removed with additional surgery.

During her 44 year struggle with cancer, Cyndee has seen it all.  She has endured radiation in 1966 that went for 4 ½ minutes to more precise, targeted radiation treatments of 20 seconds in 1997.  But during it all, she never gave in…never gave up hope.   During both her breast and rectal cancer treatments she continued to work, scheduling radiation and chemo treatments around her day as a special education teacher for Meredith Middle School where she worked for 26 years. She has definitely learned to spin, twirl and grab onto Steve’s hand in that rain.   Her baby boy, TJ, is now 32 years old and she is the best grandma she can possible be to son Spencer’s four children. 

Cyndee’s strength and fortitude is nothing short of extraordinary. Early detection, advancing medical procedures and research, a strong faith, the love and support of family and friends and a fighting will to live has certainly contributed to Cyndee’s survival.  She also notes, “Humor has been my saving grace for me all along.”   Then Steve chimes in, “That’s the only reason she has put up with me all these years.”  She flashes Steve a smile both indicating that he is indeed a funny man but also confirming that their 44 years together is grounded in a foundation that goes way beyond his keen sense of wit.  They look at each other as if they are on that first blind date back in 1966.   I believe they are dancing together.

We thank Cyndee for sharing her story and for Rallying for the Cure.  Cyndee is just one example of why we Rally. The mission of Rally for the Cure has been to emphasize the importance of early detection in the successful treatment of breast cancer and to support the mission of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. According to Komen for the Cure, each year breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women ages 35-54, and the disease also accounts for more than 75% of all cancer deaths in women 55 years of age and older.

This was Aspen’s third year of Rallying against breast cancer.  Each year the event gets bigger and better in terms of both participation and donations.  The 2010 Rally had over 100 participants and donors and raised over $5,200, a 30% increase over 2009. “We are proud to open our facility and host the Rally for the Cure. The event is a fun way for us to bring together our members and the community to support an important cause while playing a sport we are all passionate about,” states Rod Sears, Owner of Aspen Athletic Club. 

In addition to Cyndee’s moving story, Steve Cox, Cyndee’s husband, sent a message and sang a special song at the Rally via previously recorded DVD. (Steve could not attend the event due to a prior commitment.)   Participants also enjoyed food, fun tennis and an opportunity to win fabulous raffle prizes.  Aspen’s Director of Tennis, Gary Scholl along with USPTA pros Bob Peterson, Dado Pavic and Alex Parades all participated and showed support by volunteering with exhibitions and tennis activities.   Each participant received a goody bag with important Komen breast health information, a Rally visor, an Aspen hand towel and a Rally for the Cure/Aspen T-shirt.  Both the 2008 and 2009 Aspen Rally for the Cure events were award winning, being honored by the Iowa Tennis Association as Tennis Event of the Year. 

We all know someone… a wife, a mother, a daughter, a grandmother… a sister…a friend… a neighbor…if not personally, we all know someone within one degree of separation.  This is why we continue to Rally.

FIT Fiber Bar – Peanut Butter

The NEW Apex FIT Peanut Flavor FIBER bars are so soft, chewy and delicious it’s hard to believe you are getting over 1/3 of your daily fiber needs in just one bar. The Apex FIT Peanut Butter FIBER bars are a nutritious snack designed to support daily energy needs, optimal health and provide the perfect blend of essential nutrients including 5 grams of protein and 4 Sources of Fiber: Oats, Flax Seed, Inulin, and Whole Wheat Flour – (36% Daily Value).  The perfect guilt-free snack.  

 

Calories 170    
Fiber 9g
Carbs 31g
Protein 5g      
Fat 5g  (0g trans fat)   
 

Best suited for:

Anyone as
A snack between meals
An aid to satiety
An pre or post workout snack**
A better dessert option

An experienced exerciser
As a pre- and post-workout meal to enhance training and recovery*

**It is not recommended that more than one-third of your total calories be substituted in the form of meal replacement foods unless medically supervised. Consult your physician before starting

Grilled Chicken & Polenta with Nectarine-Blackberry Salsa

Grilled nectarines and fresh blackberries turn into a summery salsa to top cumin-rubbed chicken and polenta in a dish that’s special enough for weeknight entertaining. Make it a meal: Serve with a spinach salad and a crisp glass of rosé.

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INGREDIENTS
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1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 16- to 18- prepared plain polenta
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed
2 nectarines, halved and pitted
1 pint blackberries, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon lime juice
Hot sauce, to taste

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COOKING DIRECTIONS
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Step 1
Preheat grill to medium-high.

Step 2
Combine 1 tablespoon oil, cumin, 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub 1 teaspoon of the mixture all over polenta. Rub the rest into both sides of chicken. Cut the polenta crosswise into 8 slices. Rub the cut sides of nectarine halves with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil.

Step 3
Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Place the chicken, polenta slices and nectarines on the grill. Grill the polenta until hot and slightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a clean plate; tent with foil to keep warm. Grill the nectarines, turning occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes total. Grill the chicken, until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken and nectarines to a cutting board. Coarsely chop the nectarines. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice.

Step 4
While the chicken rests, combine the chopped nectarines, blackberries, cilantro, lime juice, hot sauce and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Layer the polenta, chicken and fruit salsa on 4 plates and serve.

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RECIPE TIPS
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Tip: To oil the grill rack: Oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Don’t use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

Hershey’s Fudge Protein Bar

The new soft & chewy Hershey’s FIT PROTEIN bars from Apex are nutrient rich and contain more protein than two eggs*.  The Hershey’s FIT PROTEIN bars have a delicious soft cookie center made with real Hershey’s chocolate and provide 18g of high quality protein and only 10g of sugar in just under 300 calories per bar. The Hershey FIT PROTEIN bars are perfect between meals or to fuel up pre/post workout.  Contains no High Fructose Corn Syrup and 0g Trans Fat

Calories 290                 
Carbs 33g                     
protein 18g  
fat 11g (0g trans fat)     Sugar 10g

 Best suited for:

Anyone as:
A snack between meals
An aid to satiety
An pre or post workout snack**
A better dessert option

An experienced exerciser:
As a pre- and post-workout meal to enhance training and recovery*
*2 medium eggs contain approx. 12g protein.

**It is not recommended that more than one-third of your total calories be substituted in the form of meal replacement foods unless medically supervised. Consult your physician before starting any diet.

Pasta & Bean Soup

Using basic canned goods and a few other staples, you can make this comforting soup in just minutes. The trick to achieving a full-bodied homemade flavor from canned chicken broth is to freshen it up with a handful of herbs, some garlic cloves and crushed red pepper. For a meatier flavor, add a little crumbled cooked Italian turkey sausage to the soup.

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INGREDIENTS
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4 14-ounce c reduced-sodium chicken broth
6 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
4 4-inch spr fresh rosemary, or 1 tablespoon dried
1/8-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 15-1/2-oun cannellini, (white kidney) beans, rinsed, divided
1 14-1/2-oun diced tomatoes
1 cup medium pasta shells, or orecchiette
2 cups individually quick-frozen spinach, (6 ounces) (see Ingredient note)
6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, (optional)
6 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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COOKING DIRECTIONS
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Step 1
Combine broth, garlic, rosemary and crushed red pepper in a 4- to 6-quart Dutch oven or soup pot; bring to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes to intensify flavor. Meanwhile, mash 1 cup beans in a small bowl.

Step 2
Scoop garlic cloves and rosemary from the broth with a slotted spoon (or pass the soup through a strainer and return to the pot). Add mashed and whole beans to the broth, along with tomatoes; return to a simmer. Stir in pasta, cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 3
Stir in spinach, cover and cook just until the spinach has thawed, 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with a drizzle of oil, if desired, and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Variation: Substitute chickpeas (garbanzo beans) for the cannellini beans; use a food processor to puree them.

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RECIPE TIPS
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Ingredient Note: Individually quick-frozen (IQF) spinach is sold in convenient plastic bags. If you have a 10-ounce box of spinach on hand, use just over half of it and cook according to package directions before adding to the soup in Step 3.