The Comeback Kid

For the better part of 40 years, I’ve been involved in many community service projects. Whether it was with the American Cancer Society, the local school district, or some other such endeavor, I always had my hands in something that did the community at large a lot of good. 

But recently, most of my efforts had been focused working as the co-chair of the Long Branch Cable TV Commission, the city agency that administers and manages Long Branch Community Television Channel 20 (LBCTV20). I had wanted to return to giving back like I had several years ago, but for one reason or another, couldn’t motivate myself enough or find the right vehicle. 

That, plus with the economy as cruel as it has been over the last couple of years, it’s been hard to pick and choose which organizations to give to. There’s only so much discretionary income people can spare anymore, and that’s sad, considering all the good it can do if resourced out to the right charitable organizations. 

When my health took a turn for the worse over the summer, I landed in the hospital for three days with an acute gastric issue, followed by an inability to control my blood sugar. My doctor prescribed a glucometer for me to test my blood sugar levels, but I needed to do more. Diet wasn’t going to do it alone for me. 

I had done a lot of power walking on the Long Branch boardwalk for several summers, so I figured I’d enter a race and see how far I could push myself. I went out and entered a 5K to help raise money for a cause that a lot of people feel deeply about. In doing so, I was able to kill two birds with one stone. I’d be helping raise money for a noteworthy endeavor while getting myself healthy all at the same time. 

The 5K that I chose, Mya’s Run For the Gold, was held in early September at Joe Palaia Park in Ocean Township. I had wanted to do something for The Mya Lin Terry Foundation for quite some time, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. It was the first weekend that I was totally free so I could devote myself to such a noble cause. 

For 5½ years, Mya Lin Terry, the Warrior Princess, fought one battle with cancer after another until she earned her wings on April 10, 2013. Her fight was not in vain. Because she had survived as long as she did, doctors and scientists at several hospitals where she was treated were able to perform research and refine protocols so that other children might live as long or longer. Her journey helped to inspire her parents and friends to form The Mya Lin Terry Foundation, dedicated to help raise money for childhood cancer research. 

I used to work with Mya’s mother, Kelly Terry, at Fort Monmouth, so it was great that not only could I support a great cause, but one created by a friend. 

It was a fun day. My goal was to do the entire race in under an hour, and I made it in just over fifty minutes. It looked like all that power walking on the boardwalk paid off. 

So now I’m back helping others while helping myself in the process. I plan on doing a few more 5K races before the end of the year – and all for good causes, too.

Autism, special needs, Sandy relief. . .I’m giving back again, one race at a time. Together, we can all make a difference. 

(The entire Jersey Shore Retro Blogography can be found at http://longbranch.patch.com/blogs/kevin-cieris-blog .You can also follow Kevin Cieri's blog on his Facebook page, "Jersey Shore Retro" as well as on Twitter @jsretro).