Education, Check-Ups, Healthy Eating Can Keep Cancer at Bay

April 1, 2015 – Pete Davignon Can-Sirs Executive Director

CAN-SIRS CORNER

By Pete Davignon

Cancer lies dormant in all of us.

Cancer is a living organism. Our bodies make defective cells all the time. Fortunately, our bodies are also equipped with a number of organisms that detect and keep such defective cells in check.

Statistics show that one in four of us will get cancer in our lifetime. Even if the body’s mechanisms can keep cancer at bay, there are still external chemicals and viruses that can increase the chances of getting cancer. All of us have lost players to cancer.

It is hard to keep track of all the most recent diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The field is changing at breakneck speed. This a good reason to see your doctor for regular medical checkups.

CAN-Sirs is an organization formed to bring about awareness and encourage prevention among our fellow ball players. In the last five years we have carried the message with CAN-Sirs exhibition teams, brochures, an annual CAN-Sirs Benefit Softball Tournament in Elk Grove, Ca., every year in May.

We are on Facebook and now have a new and improved web site www.cancers.org. We encourage you to visit it and check out the letters, photos, and the tournaments we intend to enter this year. Make a habit of eating healthy foods, getting plenty of exercise, and making annual visits to your doctor.

We all know about cancer but a lot of us ignore some easy ways to prevent it. Educate yourself with information about the benefits and limitations and along with your doctor so you can make an informed decision.

With age we experience reduced muscle power and elasticity. You can counter the effects with just a few easy exercises done on a regular basis. You don’t have to be the one going home with an injury. Commit a little time to conditioning. On the can-sirs.org home page is an exercise guide available for download. These exercises are specifically designed for softball conditioning by an exercise physiologist at California State University, Chico.

You will be on the field for most of the day when playing tournaments. It important that you eat and drink wisely. Your diet should be heavy on carbohydrates, with some protein. Fruits -- apples and oranges -- are good choices. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. A two percent loss of body water can cause your performance level to drop.

Can-Sirs is a nonprofit corp. and like others we exist on support and donations from individuals, teams, and leagues. CAN-Sirs has grown over the past four years and it takes more money to continue our mission. Your donation will greatly help us. Please give us some thought.

The Elk Grove CA torment will be held May 16 and 17.

This year the area Lions Clubs will be serving food at Elk Grove Regional, and Laguna parks. Again the California Girls Softball League, the Grapettes, will be providing dugout bat service.

More information is available at can-sirs.org. Email us at can-sirs@att.net. Donations may be mailed to: CAN-Sirs, Inc., 2485 Notre Dame Blvd #370-180, Chico, CA 95928