I

Health & Fitness

WELLNESS

Walk For A Cause

Benefit to support mast cell disorder research in the U.S.

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n Feb. 21, 2004, Sarah Gittleman was
"In search of a cure, we are organiz-
diagnosed with the rare disease: sys-
ing the second annual walk for the
temic mastocytosis. Her family did
Mastocytosis Society/Sarah Gittleman
not know what it was, but they learned quickly.
Research Fund," said Barbara.
Over the next four months, Sarah's symptoms
"Everyone involved in this organiza-
increased. By July, she was diagnosed with
tion volunteers their time because either
mast cell leukemia. She died Dec. 21, 2004.
they themselves have mastocytosis [mast
Since her death, the Gittleman family —
cell diseases] or someone close to them
parents, Barbara and Ted; sister, Laura; grand-
does."
mothers, Natalie Victor and Ilene Gittleman;
She added: "It is our hope that we
uncles and aunts, Neal, Douglas, Sheryl Victor
can support research that may someday
and Adrienne Sheinwald, Ellen and Jack Tucker Sarah G ittleman
save lives. We are reaching out to the
and Shelly Rossmoore — has become active
community at large to help support this
with the Mastocytosis Society.
very important cause."
The nonprofit is dedicated to helping patients, care-
No one can understand what it is like to live with an
givers and health care professionals understand mast
incurable disease except for the people living with it,
cell disorders.
she said.

FIGHTING CHILDHOOD OBESITY
FREE Dinner with a DOC event

Thursday, September 24 • 6 p.m.

Providence Hospital

Fisher Auditorium

"People with mastocytosis live with a life-threat-
ening and debilitating disease everyday," she said.
"Controlling their symptoms is very challenging!'
The diseases affect infants, children and adults.
There is no known cure.

❑

The walk will be Sunday, Oct, 4, rain or shine, at
the Huntington Woods Recreation Center, 26325
Scotia. Registration, 9:15 a.m. Event, 10-11 a.m.
(1.5-mile walk). Refreshments.
E-mail registration: gittlemanfundraiser@yahoo.
com . Mail registration: Gittleman Family, 25490
Hereford Drive, Royal Oak, MI 48067. Checks pay-
able to: The Mastocytosis Society/Sarah Gittleman
Fund. Donations from non-walkers welcome.

At one time, an overweight child was more the exception than the rule.
But these days, the number of obese children in the US is increasing at
an alarming rate. Dr. Paul Ehrmann, DO, family practice physician, is
dedicated to educating children, parents and the broader community on
the importance of healthy eating, fitness and lifestyle modification. He will
present and discuss innovative approaches to helping parents guide their
children in making healthy food choices. Please join us!

16001 W. 9 Mile Road, Southfield

Registration is required.

Call to register - 866-501-DOCS

SfjOHN

HEALTH
4TEN4

PROVIDENCE

A PASSION for HEALING

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September 10 * 2009