Health & fitness RETIREMENT LIVING "Mom's happy and enjoying her new lifestyle." Jamie Krasman gets ready to punch out can- cer at Kicks for the Cure in When dad died, I watched helplessly as my fun-loving, outgoing mom stayed home most nights. When she visited The Park at Trowbridge, she quickly saw residents interacting and enjoying their time together. We knew Mom was fully settled when she stopped keeping up with her TV soap operas. She leaves for breakfast at 8:30 and sometimes doesn't return to her apartment until evening. Thursday, March 6 11:30 a.m. —2 p.m. For more information or to visit, call The Park today! (248) 352-0208 Fighting To Win Kicks for the Cure aids cancer fight. Mom's building new memories and meeting new friends. My sister and I are happy knowing Mom's involved and enjoying life again. Leona Larson Special to the Jewish News I Arnie S. — son of resident Edith S. 24111 Civic Center Dr. Southfield, MI 48033 www.horizonbay.com at Trowbridge A HORIZON BAY SENIOR COMMUNITY Cr The Brightest Tomorrows Begin Here 126:039 WOOD LAMINATES, -Only Look Like It! Complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling as well as furniture design and installations including granite, wood and other materials. Lois Haron Allied Member ASID 248.851.6989 A36 February 21 2008 2006. n a steady, solemn voice, Jamie Krasman, 26, of Troy composed a list of people she has loved who have had cancer. "My grandma, my grandpa, my great-uncle, numerous close family friends and two very close personal friends," said Krasman who will par- ticipate in the fifth annual Kicks for the Cure cardio kick-boxing class to benefit the Detroit-based Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute on March 2 at Powerhouse Gym in West Bloomfield. This will be round three for Krasman, who has been committed to the event since 2005. "Cancer used to be something that I found very scary; but when you have knowledge and are more educated to do things like this that empower you, you don't have to be scared anymore she said. The intense, three-hour kick-box- ing benefit for cancer research was started by world military boxing champion Omar Akl, 33. Aid, a trainer at Powerhouse, was motivated by the memory of his best friend who lost his fight with leukemia at 18. "Our goal is to raise another $15,000 this year:' said Aid, who raised $35,000 in the event's first four years. Akl will teach the class with help from Powerhouse trainer Michael Ligotti and Karmanos community education manager Andrea Layman, who will talk about prevention through diet, physical activity and early detection. Krasman's mother, Mary, of West Bloomfield joined her daughter at Kicks for the Cure in 2006. "After my mother's cancer scare with an unknown mass, which thankfully turned out to be benign:' Krasman said, "we realized how important it is to do benefits like this for ourselves and others!' "It's wonderful that Omar teamed up with Karmanos," added Mary Krasman. The dark days of worry and fear are behind them both now and have been replaced by clarity for what is important. "Cancer is non-discriminating:' Mary said. "That's the beauty of this event. Cancer knows no gender, no race, no age and so we should all come together to try and make a differ- ence. It's very inspiring, just like Omar — very inspiring." The fifth annual Kicks for the Cure will be held 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 2, at Powerhouse Gym,15630 Orchard Lake Road, just south of Maple, West Bloomfield. Tickets are $50, $100 and $250. Powerhouse Gym will be open to the public at no charge that day, but dona- tions to Kicks for the Cure are encouraged. Door prizes include a 1-year Powerhouse member- ship and personal training with Omar Akl as well as other gifts. For information, call Powerhouse Gym of West Bloomfield, (248) 539-3370.