Fighting Breast Cancer Is Expensive: Judy Israel Ran 5K During Chemo To Support Free Services

"Cancer can be financially toxic to patients".

Read that powerful line in "The Roslyn News" story about SJJCC's Stronger Than Cancer 5K to benefit the Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center which took place Sept 29th in Long Island, NY.

That why, against all odds, Judy Israel who's fighting stage 4 metastatic breast cancer found the strength to run again in that race this year.

Judy who's going through chemo for the third time in her life, has run the 5K for the last 8 years to raise money to help keep all the centers programs and services free! #WPIXNews in NY and the TODAY Show were among the many outlets that featured her story.

The Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center center has been a lifeline for Judy through her 3 trips through cancer hell, offering a community of individuals who could relate to her experience, and offering programs, support groups and exercise classes tailored to cancer patients and survivors. Most important their services are free and will remain free as long as their donations continue.

Judy said,

"It's important because before I found the Nancy Marks Cancer Wellness Center, I had been for a place where I could find people who are going through a similar situation that I was going through where I wouldn't be the only one standing out. It is a safe place. It's a place where you can go and your needs are met.

"There are groups, there are exercise classes, there are walking groups, there are breast cancer groups, there are family support groups, and it's remote and in person. So there's something for everyone. a broader audience because so many people are affected by cancer whether it's the family as a unit or just an individual so we are trying to reach as many people as we can to bring them in and help them you know what are your needs?"

The Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center in Long Island also offers remote services that are remote. I asked Judy if they allowed people from other places in the country to access this helpful cancer support community?

Judy said,

"They have to register with in the center, which there's a and which involves making a phone call and registering, and then you will be able to access through the website to navigate to different, you know, there's a schedule available of exercise classes, of different groups at different times.There are caregivers groups, there's men cancer groups, what different needs for different people."

All cancer patients need emotional and physical support. Trust me I know. I've been through cancer twice. I am a grateful survivor and grateful to all who helped me through it. But I'd be lying if I said it didn't take an emotional and financial toll on my life. Staying alive ain't cheap.

Judy Israel who I came to know and adore because her sister Ellen Israel is one of my besties from Ithaca College, continues to fight her own cancer battle, while also serving as an ambassador to the center's advisory board.

Truly gritty of her to be using her experience to support and inspire others while dealing with yet another cancer fight of her own! AMAZING WOMAN.

Lots of emotional personal sharing also went on during this live on air conversation with Judy who's in chemo again for metastatic breast cancer and for whom chemo will be ongoing this time.

People who've been through cancer can speak to each other on a different level of understanding and humor about cancer experiences. Humor is acceptable when it comes from a deeper level of caring because it's a coping mechanism. (Her sister Ellen and I have both been through breast cancer)

Which is why our conversation took a turn to naming wigs and nailing bucket list items.

On Judy's Bucket List is a trip up in a Hot Air Balloon (which scares the crap out of me); Driving cross country ( I had some good RV suggestions); and seeing Las Vegas! (I'm game for taking her there. LOL )

I invited Judy to join The Debbie Nigro Show so I can support her and her efforts to support the Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center organization which is so important to her and many others.

I hope you'll take the time to listen to this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show and shre it with anyone who could benefdit from hearing Judy and from knowing about The Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center in Long Island, N.Y.

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The Debbie Nigro Show airs live weekdays 11-12 noon EST on #WGCH Radio in the NY/CT. OR You can listen from wherever you are in the world on the digital livestream on WGCH.com. Just hit the Listen Live button. Visit DebbieNigro.com for more informaton or to get in touch.