TODAY news - July 25, 2002

Thursday, July 25, 2002 TODAY

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Inaugural Loma Linda "Home Run for ALS"

Floyd Peterson, MPH, mayor of the City of Loma Linda, welcomed more than 300 people who participated in the first ever Loma Linda "Home Run for ALS" 5k/10k run/walk on May 19.

The event, organized by the "Hearts for ALS" committee, was held to raise awareness of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease) and to raise funds to support services for patients and their families.

ALS causes progressive muscle weakness and disability and is ultimately fatal. Two patients in the early stages of the disease participated, as did several friends and family members who walked in memory of departed loved ones.

The strong showing of support gave the message that while ALS might weaken the body, it will not dampen the spirit.

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Drayson Center sets monthly record for new-member sign ups

Jennifer DeWitt, recreational assistant for marketing and events, provides a brief Drayson Center orientation for new Medical Center employees, which took place in Wong Kerlee International Conference Center.

During the month of June, 2002, Drayson Center set an all-time record of 796 new members signing up to use the recreational facility, according to Jennifer DeWitt, recreation assistant for marketing and events.

The month of July is already on a record-setting pace, with nearly 400 individuals coming on board as of July 15. Current memberships total more than 8,000 individuals.

"We aren't sure exactly why the numbers are so large," says Ms. DeWitt. "In the past, the months of June, July, and August were typically slower months."

Donald Sease, executive director of the center, has an idea why the numbers are increasing.

"We"ve been trying to make Drayson Center more "user friendly" for our students, faculty, staff, and community members," Mr. Sease points out. "Perhaps our efforts are beginning to pay off."

Students and their spouses make up the largest constituent group of Drayson Center members at 29 percent, followed by Loma Linda University Medical Center employees (22 percent), community members (18 percent), Loma Linda University employees and community seniors (both at 9 percent), the Inland Valley Business Professionals Association (IVBPA; 5 percent), and a number of smaller constituent groups making up the remainder.

The IVBPA, a group of business professionals from the Inland Empire, are involved primarily with the 40-plus basketball leagues.

"We"ve taken a number of steps to increase our numbers at Drayson Center," Mr. Sease explains, "including working harder to keep the facility clean and in good working order, as well as providing more membership services."

One upgrade currently underway is that of the super field. Sand is being applied to make the irrigation process more efficient, and fertilizer added to help revitalize the grass.

"Our facility is here to serve the recreational needs of our students, faculty, staff, and the community," adds Mr. Sease. "We see our role as helping to prevent disease and promote health through recreation and fitness."

For more information about Drayson Center facilities and membership, call (909) 558-4975.

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An open letter to University Catering from the manager

Catering staff,

Having received so many kind letters praising the work of University Catering, I would like to thank you, our staff, who have made us so successful.

During the past few months, you, the wonderful team of chefs, office coordinators, servers, and support staff have dedicated yourselves to excellence. Organizers of events like APC, Bottom Line, the Gala, and International Vegetarian Congress have nothing but praise for your competence and smiling, helpful, can-do attitudes.

Likewise do the guests of our dynamic Faculty Dining Room offer constant praise to you, Aziza Adams, and the entire crew who provide such gracious hospitality for faculty, staff, and visitors, who need exactly that.

You are a remarkable team and your professionalism shows. This letter is to publicly recognize your dedication, and to thank each of you for the pleasure of working with you all.

Thank you for a job well done.

Sincerely,

Najwa Medina, manager

Catering services

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Heart Transplant swimming party brings patients together

The heart transplant kids at the summer reunion gathered for a group photo in their red shirts to celebrate their second chance at life.

The Drayson Center pool played host to more than 40 people at the Heart Transplant Sizzling Summer Fiesta 2002 on June 23.

"It's an opportunity to celebrate second chances at life," said Sharon Robie, RN, MBA, administrative director of heart transplant, to the heart transplant recipients and their families gathered for a Sunday of good times and good food. Heart transplant kids and adults were treated to a Mexican buffet and all the swimming they could get in for three hours.

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Innerweave: The Wholeness Story

The Fourth of July and the French Bastille Day are now history, yet there remains in these troubled days the question of how long we will be free indeed. My priestly mind remembered a quote from a favorite author, Clark Pinnock, who reminds one of what true freedom is, and the risk God takes:

'suffering and struggle are involved in the creaturely process. Anxiety, loneliness, limitation, temptation are all part of it. We are not protected from challenges and trials. This is not a struggle-free world order. God wills good for the creature, but also a creature who corresponds with God in terms of love.

"Only a free creature can fulfill such a destiny. It cannot be preprogrammed. Alongside the freedom to love is the freedom not to love. Alongside the freedom to be responsible is the freedom to be slothful and disobedient"

'such beings are both wonderful and a risky experiment. The freedom that makes yes possible also makes no possible. To the invitation of love, one may respond gladly or refuse. Forced love is a contradiction in terms, and God does not force His love on us. God took risks in the decision to make significantly free creatures. Though He does not abandon creatures to their own choices when they fall, God also does not stop them from deviating from His purposes and the consequences. There was a risk in granting independence to the creature, but it was a risk required for the fulfillment of God's plan."

Blessed be the freedom from self and for Him.

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