The Inside Press

Friends of Karen, which provides vital, practical and comprehensive support, at no cost, to families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness, presents its gala benefit “Celebration on the Sound” on Friday, June 14, 6:30-11:30 p.m. at Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club. Returning as emcee is NBC Correspondent Kate Snow. The evening will honor longtime Friends of Karen Board member Palma Patti and corporate partner Acura of Westchester.

“Friends of Karen is a lifeline for families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness,” says Ms. Snow. “I am honored to be part of such an amazing organization, a resource like no other.”

Proceeds from the gala will benefit the hundreds of children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses in the tri-state area whose families turn to Friends of Karen for help every day. The charity was founded out of the kindness of one friend toward another: Sheila Petersen of Croton Falls raised funds from the community to help Barbara and Angus MacInnes care for their daughter Karen at home, so the family could spend the rest of Karen’s short life together.

“Friends of Karen started with one child,” says Judith Factor, the charity’s Executive Director. “Since then, we’ve touched the lives of more than 12,400 children. That’s something to celebrate!”

Please join us for a milestone event with fabulous food, marvelous music, awesome auction, a stunning sunset and surprises galore! Contact Gwen Salmo for tickets and information at 914-617-4051 or GwenSalmo@friendsofkaren.org.  Or go to www.FriendsOfKaren.org and click on the Friends of Karen life preserver.

Friends of Karen is a registered 501(c)(3) charity and the only organization in the New York tri-state area that provides a comprehensive range of programs for families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness. Our team of expert social workers, committed staff and dedicated volunteers deliver the services that help free our families of everyday concerns, so they have more time to love.  Headquartered in North Salem, NY, with offices on Long Island and in Manhattan, Friends of Karen is widely recognized for its operational efficiency, with 82 cents of every dollar collected going directly to support families. Charity Navigator, an independent organization that evaluates the financial efficiency and responsibility of thousands of U.S. charities, has consistently awarded Friends of Karen a 4-star rating – their highest award.

On MHA’s Centering Sunday, May 19^th, you can practice yoga, take pilates or book a massage, all with a good karma twist. In honor of May is Mental Health Month, yoga studios and wellness centers across the Hudson Valley are offering classes in support of the Mental Health Association of Westchester’s mental health programs and services.

Stigma about mental health conditions causes needless shame and fear and is the biggest obstacle to seeking help.  With good treatment, people can and do recover and lead healthy lives in the community.

To participate in this stigma-stopping event, visit www.mhawestchester.org and find the studio nearest you.

To celebrate the creation of Centering Sunday, we asked Amy Weintraub, who has been a pioneer in the field of yoga and mental health for over 20 years and is the author of the bestselling Yoga for Depression, to offer one of her favorite breathing exercises:

“When feelings of separation or loneliness arise, I know of no better way to sense our interconnectedness than to begin a breathing practice.  Aside from the well-documented health benefits, we can stop a ruminative chain of thoughts or a negative mood state in its tracks with one of many simple yogic breathing exercises called pranayama.  Trauma, loss and the everyday hassles of daily life can create constriction in the physical and emotional body.  As we constrict, we begin to close off from others.  Some of us carry this sense of separation throughout our lives in the form of depression.  Yogic breathing can begin to break through that wall of separation, perhaps just a chink at first, through which we begin to feel less separate and alone.  A simple breath can give us a felt sense of our connection to the energy of the cosmos.  Einstein once said that “we are operating under the optical delusion of our separateness and that our separateness is lethal”. When we breathe mindfully, that delusion dissolves and we begin to see clearly again that we are intimately and eternally connected to the energy of the universe and to each other.  What is authentic within us is given voice.

Practice:

When we breathe consciously, we may quiet the clatter of thoughts so that mindfulness naturally arises. Try this simple breath when the busy mind needs a respite.

Ocean-Sounding Victory Breath (Ujjayi)

This breath, jokingly referred to as Darth Vader Breath, is soothing to the central nervous system, even as it calms the mind and supports greater focus for meditation.

1. To begin, inhale through the nostrils to the count of four with a slight constriction at the back of the throat, so that the breath is audible, like a light snoring sound.
2. Exhale through the nostrils for four counts, maintaining the snoring sound.
3. The breath is slow, and deep.  Feel the breath expanding the belly, the ribcage, and then the upper chest.
4. On the exhalation, pull the abdomen in and up to empty the lungs completely.
5. Sense the breath at the back of the throat.
6. Listen to your breath.  Does it sound like a wave gently rolling across pebbles?  Imagine your favorite pebbly beach.  Does it sound like an infant’s snore?  Let it be like a lullaby to yourself—perhaps a younger you. “

MHA is a community-based mental health agency that has been helping Westchester County residents for 67 years through direct services, professional and community education and advocacy. MHA supports 20,000 individuals annually through a comprehensive array of mental health services striving to help each individual to achieve their personal goals and to lead independent, healthy lives. For information, visit www.mhawestchester.org

On Tuesday May 7, several Chappaqua families headed up to the New York State Capitol to convince legislators to pass Assembly Bill 759-A (“same as” Senate Bill 4876) this session. The Bill would require all NY State Teachers have instruction on how to administer an epinephrine auto-injector.

Two years ago, Stacey Saiontz set out to try to make this simple but important Bill a reality. As the mother of a young son with life-threatening allergies to dairy, egg, wheat, oat, rye, barley, tree nuts and sesame, Stacey never leaves her son with an adult or babysitter who doesn’t understand how to administer an epinephrine auto-injector. This is because if a child is experiencing anaphylaxis, their throat can close within seconds to minutes, often not enough time for 911 assistance. Prompt administration of epinephrine (adrenaline) is pertinent to treating anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that is rapid in onset and could cause death. Research clearly shows that fatalities due to anaphylaxis result from a failure to administer epinephrine, or a delay in its use.

In NY State teachers, who we entrust our children with for the majority of our waking hours, are not required to be trained in administering this life saving medication. This bill will require that all newly certified teachers receive instruction in the use of epinephrine auto-injectors. This life-saving medication can be used in the event of a severe allergic reaction at school. The Bill does not cost the state any money as teachers may receive instruction from any of the many “free” online courses that will train teachers, and/or be trained by the nurse at the school. In fact, in Ontario, Canada, a similar law was passed in 2006. Under Sabrina’s Law (a law named after a girl who lost her life from anaphylaxis in school when she could not get her epinephrine in time), teachers have been trained by a free online course at allergyready.com since 2006.

Since 2006, not one child has died in an Ontario school. However, there have been several instances where a child has experienced anaphylaxis and their teachers have saved their lives by administering the epinephrine auto-injector. This Bill in NY state will empower teachers in their classroom at a time when 1 in 13 children have life-threatening food allergies. Allergists support this important Bill and emphasize that there are no counter-indications to administering epinephrine. Furthermore, the bill provides liability protection to teachers under the Good Samaritan law.

On May 7, Patty Albert and her food allergic daughter Sara, Heather Brown and her food allergic son Spencer, and Liz Rappaport and Stacey Saiontz spent the day in Albany pushing this Bill one step closer to a reality.

They attended and spoke at Press conference that Assembly Member Rosenthal and Senator Golden (the sponsors of the Bill) held. Afterwards, they met with key members of Assembly and the Senate to ensure that those Legislators would vote “yes” for the Bill.