marriage of 54 years that has
produced four children, 15
grandchildren and three great-
grandchildren.
Since 2013, NSGA’s
Personal Best program has
profiled athletes with wide-
ranging stories of overcoming
challenges with the goal to
inspire and motivate all aging
Americans to stay active to
pursue their own “personal
best” lifestyle. Johnson is
the first Idaho athlete to be
recognized in the program.
“Our recognition program
has profiled athletes of
all abilities from many
backgrounds. They provide a
simple common message of
inspiration to others of all ages:
Just keep moving and you will
enjoy a healthier, happier and
longer life. We offer Senior
Games as a great option to find
fitness, fun and fellowship,”
added Riker.
NSGA is a nonprofit Multi-
Sports Council member of
the United States Olympic
Committee that promotes
health and wellness for adults
50 and over through education,
fitness and sport. It governs
the biennial National Senior
Games, the largest multi-
sport event for people age
50+ in the world. Athletes
qualify to compete at one of 53
sanctioned state games such
as the Idaho Senior Games.
10,000+ athletes are expected
to compete in 20 medal sports
over 12 days in five-year age
divisions at the 2019 National
Senior Games presented
by Humana, to be hosted in
Albuquerque, New Mexico from
June 14-25, 2019.
St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital
Finding Cures,
Saving Children
During National
Childhood Cancer
Awareness Month
T
his year, parents of nearly 16,000 children in the United States will hear the
words, “Your child has cancer.” These words mean heartbreak and despair for
families who become unwilling participants in a battle with the nation’s leading
cause of death from disease in children.
But, they are not alone in their battle. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is
leading the way in which the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer.
Throughout the month of September – National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
– communities across the U.S. are joining the fight against childhood cancer by
supporting St. Jude and sharing information at stjude.org/september.
St. Jude is where doctors often send their toughest cases because the hospital has
the world’s best survival rates for some of the most aggressive childhood cancers.
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival
rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened more than 50 years ago,
and St. Jude is working to increase survival rates to 90 percent in the next decade.
But even that’s not good enough.
Survival rates for some of the most difficult-to-treat childhood cancers remain
unacceptably low. For those who win their battles against childhood cancer, victory often
comes at a cost as survivors face a much higher risk of experiencing unique long-term
health effects later in life. And while 175,000 children around the world are diagnosed
with cancer each year, fewer than 40 percent of these children are adequately diagnosed
and treated.
Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors, St.
Jude doctors and scientists have the freedom to pursue all available avenues in
investigating these diseases, treating their patients and working to enhance the quality
and quantity of life that survivors enjoy now and in the future. The continued generosity
of individual contributors is critical given that pediatric cancer research is woefully
underfunded, and St. Jude is a leading institution in investment into pediatric cancer
research. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved
at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save
thousands more children.
The generosity of individual contributors and partnerships like the USAPA allow St.
Jude doctors and scientists to embark upon ambitious, industry-leading efforts and
ensures that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing
and food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Since the
partnership began just two short years ago, the USAPA has donated nearly $25,000
with hopes of raising that total considerably in the coming year.
Join St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and supporters from across the nation
as the critical need for awareness and support is highlighted for those impacted by
pediatric cancer. If you have any upcoming tournaments or events and would like to
create your own fundraiser for St. Jude around it, please reach out to your St. Jude
team at 1.800.457.2444 or email [email protected] to help you get started. •
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 |
MAGAZINE
19