OCTOBER 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 35
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
NANCY MARX WELLNESS CENTER
HELPING SURVIVORS OVERCOME
NANCY MARX CANCER WELLNESS CENTER
Strength
C urage
HOPE
Fitness Classes with Cancer Exercise Specialists • Educational Workshops • Discussion Groups
Counseling & Referral Services • Special Events
SJJCC.ORG/CANCERWELLNESS
Randy Hight runs the
Nancy Marx Cancer
Wellness Center.
BY ROB PELAEZ
The Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness
Center at the Sid Jacobson Jewish
Community Center in East Hills has
been aiding those suffering from
cancer since 2005.
The subject of cancer is a delicate
topic, but the center’s staff goes to
lengths to ensure people have the
proper mental and physical resources
needed.
“We try to reduce as many barriers
as we can,” says Randy Hight, the
center’s director. “It’s the main reason
why so many of our programs
and opportunities involve no cost,
so that anyone who needs help can
receive it.”
Most of the programs the center
offers to the public are free, such
as writing and meditation classes,
individual counseling, tailored
discussion groups, and various exercise
classes. It also provides services
such as informational referrals and
child care options, to keep the focus
on combating cancer.
“Cancer is a challenging disease,”
Hight says. “With the support of a
collective community and dedicated
staff, there should always be reasons
for people to have hope.”
Hight, a certified oncology social
worker, helps survivors and
their families by collaborating
with medical professionals and
other social workers to ensure
that referrals and programs
provide people with the best
solution.
“Each family is unique in
their own way,” she says.
“Just because two people have
the same diagnosis does not
mean that their situations are
parallel. People cope and react to
information very differently.”
Word has spread, so that she sees people,
Jewish or not, come from across
New York State.
“Depending on what somebody’s
current state of cancer is,” Hight
says, “I can make referrals to specific
facilities closer to them, or
ones that may be further, but can
more effectively bring them into a
state of remission. It’s something
we pride ourselves on. Constant
contact before, during, and after
the process makes it less scary for
them, and is more reassuring for
us as well.”
Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness
Center will hold its Stronger Than
Cancer 5K fundraiser at the Sid
Jacobson JCC at 300 Forest
Dr. in East Hills. For more
information, visit sjjcc.org.
The run starts at 9:30
a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.
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