Ascenza Wellness Center’s Health & Fitness Open House & Fundraiser to benefit Cathy Balla was held on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010

Ascenza Wellness Center would like to thank all those who
contributed to Cathy's cause.  The event was successful --
over $1500 was raised at Ascenza along with support and
contributions from other local organizations for a total
of over $25,000 to help her get to Spain for her surgery.
Today, Cathy is leading a normal life and she reports that
she is in less pain and can do more activity.

We helped “Send Cathy to Spain for TCS Surgery” for Syringomyelia
and Chiari Malformation.  Learn more at www.asap.org

By Cathleen Balla: “Hi, I’m Cathy Balla and I’m 11 years old.  I love playing softball, swimming in my neighbor’s pool, and spending time with friends.  I’m an Honor Roll student and school is one of my main priorities.  I like to read mysteries by Avi and my favorite country singer is Taylor Swift. I deal with chronic pain every day. Now, you’re probably wondering why I’m alwaysin pain…Three years ago I was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari malformation and syringomyelia.  The Chiari malformation is an abnormality in the lower part of the brain called the cerebellum.  Syringomyelia, often referred to as SM, is a chronic disorder involving the spinal cord.  When cerebrospinal fluid (normally found outside of the spinal cord and brain) enters the interior of the spinal cord, forming a cavity, it is known as a syrinx. The chronic pain is caused by nerve damage created by the growth of the syrinx, which makes my back hurt all the time.  The Chiari sometimes gives me headaches and eye pain, along with other symptoms.  Luckily, my family plans to take me to Spain for surgery.  Unfortunately, my parents’ insurance won’t cover this. 

The surgery is called Section of the Filum Terminale.  We’re going to Spain because the surgery there is less invasive and has had great results.  There is a chance that this surgery will reduce or completely get rid of my pain.  If not, it is sure to slow the progression of my disease.”

Dr. Giacobbe, owner of Ascenza Wellness Center, is very familiar with CM and SM, since his own 17 year old son, Alex, suffered from these conditions.  Alex’s surgery was successfully performed in December 2008, in Barcelona, Spain by Dr. Royo Salvador. Today Alex is doing great.  The fundraiser is being held at Ascenza Wellness Center not only to create awareness about CM and SM, but in the hopes that enough money is raised from all of the local fundraisers to send Cathy to Spain on October 7, 2010 without her parent’s having to worry about who will pay for the surgery.  “Our Barcelona surgery experience ended on a very positive note for my son Alex and holding this event gives us the opportunity to give back to the community by helping another child and to create awareness about these diseases. Residents can come in for a day of fitness, health and wellness, and learn about our services” stated Dr. Giacobbe.  A $10.00 donation is being suggested for those who want to attend the open house.

To read more about Alex's story, please click this link:

Alex Giacobbe - A story of triumph and perseverance

OPEN HOUSE FOR AREA RESIDENTS FOR FITNESS, CLASSES AND LECTURES:

• 10:45 - 11:30 am: Sandy Giacobbe, D.C. Proactive Health and Wellness

Sandy Giacobbe, Chiropractic Physician, is the founder/owner of Ascenza Wellness Center and Blairstown Chiropractic Center. He is a graduate of NY Chiropractic College and has practiced in New York and New Jersey as a licensed chiropractor and holistic health practitioner for over 22 years. Dr. Giacobbe's state-of-the-art, green building and environmentally friendly, wellness center offers chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, fitness programs from circuit strength training to customized fitness, yoga, meditation, weight loss and wellness programs. Dr. Giacobbe's philosophy is that “health is not merely the absence of disease any more than wealth is the absence of poverty.” His goal is to educate his patients and clients on the real life benefits of the wellness model of health and proactive and preventive care.

• 11:40 - 12:15 pm: Oscar Coetzee, Ph.D. Fitness, Nutrition and Weight  

Oscar Coetzee, Ph.D. is a Certified Nutritionist practicing out of Ascenza Wellness Center.  Oscar as he likes to be called owns OCPHD & Associates, a firm that is out to put science behind the Holistic and Integrative/ Alternative approach. He specializes in weight loss resistance, behavioral issues (ADD, ADHD, depression and food reactions), chronic conditions (CFS, fibromyalgia), focal dystonia and more. All clients are taken through a very scientific protocol which starts with evaluating the standard blood panel from an “optimal range perspective”.  If need be, further metabolic testing may be implemented to determine the underlying causes followed by a personalized protocol. Oscar also heads up the High Performance Extreme Boot camp, weight loss and metabolic programs at Ascenza. Oscar believes that the ultimate approach to preventative care is to strive for “Optimal Health Ranges,” as put out in his protocols. Visit www.ocphd.net for more info.

• 12:20 - 1:00 pm Bursting Class: trainers Laura and Patty assist tryers

• 1:15 - 2:00 pm Dr. Walter Grote: Prolotherapy Sports Medicine

Dr. Walter Grote is the only Board Certified Prolotherapist in North West NJ.  He is President of the American College of Osteopathic Sclerotherapeutic Pain Management and a partner at Sparta Medical Associates. He graduated Kansas City University Of Medicine Bioscience College Of Osteopathic Medicine in1979 and completed his residency at Eisenhower Army Med Center, Fort Gordon, GA, in1982. He is the owner of Prolo and Integrated Medicine along with his wife, Deborah Grote, RN.  They currently practice Prolotherapy, also known as non-surgical ligament reconstruction, from Ascenza Wellness Center.  This type of medicine can help with many musculoskeletal conditions, pain and arthritis, as well as torn ligaments, tendons, degenerated discs, sports injuries and a host of other health challenges.  Visit www.ascenzawellness.com/prolo for more info.

• 2:10 - 2:40 pm Delia Quigley and Andy Wasserman: Yoga through Sound
  2:40 - 3:30 pm Yoga Class experienced through music

Delia Quigley is the Director of StillPoint Schoolhouse, where she teaches a holistic lifestyle designed to achieve optimal health and well being, based on her 30 years of study, experience and practice. Delia is committed to teaching the art of surviving in a technological culture by preserving many of the old ways that support and maintain our physical body, helping to calm and stabilize our minds.  She is the author of seven books on health and nutrition. Delia currently teaches eight Yoga classes at Ascenza Wellness Center from gentle beginner to advanced.   Visit www.deliaquigley.com for more info.

• 3:30 - 4:30 pm Andy Wasserman: Healing through Sound  

Andy Wasserman has continually explored and realized the deep connection and reality of music as a healing force.  The most ancient forms of music, whether from Africa, China, the Middle East or India, began as practices of medicine, communication, and story telling.  Andy's life work in music has been a powerful force for his own personal healing on the path which integrates his artistry and individual evolution towards self-realization. Andy is of the firm conviction that music is a gift, given by the Creator to humankind in order to make us better listeners - so we can learn to listen to our hearts, nature and each other.

It is the music in us that hears the music. The ultimate purpose of music is to be a voice of unity and integration through a primary function of healing. This is how Andy defines the holistic approach to music as force for healing on all physical, emotional, mentaland spiritual levels. Andy's many years of experience has been a real-life testament to this reality. Visit www.andywasserman.com for more info.