A YC Community Member Needs Support

Yoga Centric has been a close knit community for over 6 years, supporting one another through the highest and lowest of times. The studio has remained a place for people to come for yoga classes, regardless of their level of practice or life's situation. We have seen support in the way of hugs, chats, free memberships when times were tough, job support and even providing a roof over one's head when it was needed! The stories heard and witnessed have so often been happy and worth celebrating and that's why we are asking for your support for one of our beloved teachers, Jen Walsh. Most of you know her as our Restorative Yoga Specialist and committed yoga instructor. Jen has been teaching for Yoga Centric for 5 years and has so often been a support system for many in our community. With your help, we know her current story can have a happy ending.

Dave's Battle with Melanoma: by: Jen Walsh

My husband Dave was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma (advanced skin cancer) in July 2021. The surgical oncologist determined that surgery would be too radical and would not stop the spread. The cancer started with a single mole on his back and spread across his back and unfortunately into his lymph nodes and spots on his bones. The medical oncologist recommended Dave for a clinical trial with immunotherapy treatments (a dual drug IV treatment) and a targeted therapy pill, and she is very optimistic his cancer is curable. He began his treatment in early August, but he developed a staph infection from a port he had implanted for his treatment. He was hospitalized for a week. He's at home now receiving IV antibiotics and wound care. (Since this is something I have to administer multiple times a day, I have a newfound respect for all healthcare workers. Not that I didn't already through this pandemic!.) He's waiting to resume immunotherapy (it was supposed to be every three weeks but had to be paused due to the infection).

Unfortunately Dave has been unable to go to work since August 10 and is currently using his accrued leave. We've been told his treatments could last for a year or more. So it's unclear when he'll be up for returning to work and/or how many hours he will be able to work without jeopardizing his health. We are unsure how much short-term disability he will receive, and if/when he will have to use FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) which will secure his job and benefits but will be unpaid.

I encourage you to please do me, yourself, and your loved ones a favor. If you have any suspicious moles, please go to a dermatologist and get them checked as soon as possible.

In close, the Yoga Centric community is greatly comforted knowing that there is such a large group of fellow yogi's to reach out to in a time of need. Whether your support is in the way of donations, prayers or reaching out to Jen, we are extremely thankful. Think about following Jen on Instagram or Facebook to stay up to date, say hi and let her know her family is in your thoughts! All donations will be given to Jen and used to pay for medical and care needs throughout David's treatment.