Jackson Memorial Hospital Working to Improve Acute Stroke Care with the Help of Your Donations!

Last May, the Foundation’s board was given a private tour of Jackson South Community Hospital led by Dr. Keith DeSousa, director of Stroke and Interventional Neurology. This tour was on the heels of the Foundation’s second donation where we contributed $25,000 to the Stroke and Interventional Neurology Department. We at the Foundation would like to thank all of our donors who made this contribution possible. Below you will find our review from the visit that talks about how your donations are advancing medical research. Enjoy!  

Dr. Keith DeSousa, director of Stroke and Interventional Neurology at Jackson South Community Hospital, is just one of the professionals at Jackson South working to improve the level of acute stroke care in South Miami. There are several changes that doctors at Jackson South are implementing to accomplish just that. Dr. DeSousa describes strokes as one of two types. He explains, “The pipe breaks or the pipe gets clogged.” This is the difference between hemorrhagic strokes, where the patient bleeds into the brain, and ischemic strokes, where a clot “clogs” a vessel in the brain. The latter is what people normally think of when it comes to strokes, but aneurysms also fall into the category of strokes. Regardless of the type, strokes are truly deadly, can occur without any prior warning, and can quickly have devastating effects such as diminished cognition, emotional changes, and weakness and numbness throughout the body. These effects are all due to death of neurons, or brain cells.

There are three levels of stroke care centers: basic, primary, and comprehensive. Jackson South is currently a primary stroke care center. One of the central motivations behind developing Jackson South into a comprehensive stroke care center is to cut down on the time it takes to transport patients who may have had a stroke in South Miami or the Keys to Jackson Main, which is located further north. According to Dr. DeSousa, developing Jackson South into a comprehensive stroke care center will allow patients to be transported a shorter distance and thus minimize the time they are without acute care. Receiving care promptly is especially crucial because between 1 and 2 million neurons are lost every minute during a stroke. In order to have the best outcomes for patients, the urgency involved in acute stroke care is an important factor that should be prioritized as much as possible.

In addition to all of this, Jackson South is opening a new Neurological Intensive Care Unit for these types of patients. This will minimize transport time even further, as everything needed to treat these patients will be located within one floor of each other. With all of these changes in place, we know that Jackson Memorial Hospital will be armed with the means to make a significant impact in the battle against all types of strokes. We want to thank all of our donors once again for providing our foundation with the means to wholly carry out our mission and make a real, tangible impact in the development of neurological research.

Friendship: How Tommy Changed the Lives of Others

Friendship is a powerful bond, one that lasts a lifetime. While many friends come and go, a true friend is there to stay. Tommy was a true friend, through thick and thin. While Tommy’s life was short-lived, he managed to make a great impact on the lives of many, especially his closest and dearest friends. Tommy was able to make this impact not by just hanging out with his friends frequently, or having a few laughs, but the great qualities he held, qualities that everyone can appreciate, and qualities that all true friends should aspire to have. You see, Tommy was one of the most loyal, selfless, and loving friends one could ask for. Seldom did he not inconvenience himself for the benefit of his friends, he always remained loyal, and he always showed appreciation for his friendships, whether it be through his words or his actions. These are testimonials to the impact that Tommy had on the lives of others:

“Having Tommy as a friend was something that I will cherish and speak of for the rest of my life. He was someone that I could go to with anything. When I had a problem, he would help me fix it. When I was having a good day, he was one to celebrate with. I will speak of the things that Tommy taught me for the rest of my life.”

“Tommy, I don't even know where to start. My brother, my friend, my partner in crime and my "papa pendejo." You were a huge part of life whether it was playing basketball, going to Coconut Grove or staying at your house late on weekdays and having my dad complain that it was too late and that I should be asleep by now. You helped me with my schoolwork at times, you helped me in life situations and you always helped me and never asked for anything in return. You could be the guy who would cheer me up when I was feeling completely down and in the dumps. I miss going to Buffalo Wild Wings on Thursdays and playing basketball at LA Fitness, I miss you like crazy my brother. I wish you were still here so we could go to Chipotle and so you can defend me from Charles and Mason. Every morning before I go shower, I have pictures of you and me on my wall of us having fun and enjoying life. Everyday I ask why did it have to be you. I just always have you in my mind. Tommy I love you, I miss you and know that you're always with me.”

“Up until I was seventeen I only had one person in which I idolized and strived to be like and that was my Mother. I always saw my mother as a hardworking, beautiful woman who could defy all the odds and accomplish just about anything. I hold my standards extremely high when it comes to modeling my life around a person that I would like to be embody. When I was seventeen, I was blessed to meet someone who would become my second role model, a kid that was of the same age as me. I met him through a friend in which I keep in very high regards. From the very first moment I got to speak to my future role model, I knew there was something special about him and from that moment on I wanted him to be involved in my life. As time went on our friendship grew more and more. We started to spend every day together and during that time I would analyze him. What makes him so great? The answer to that question would definitely surpass 500 words…”

Quotes like these show the impact that Tommy had on the lives of his friends. Think about the impact you’re making on your friends. What can you improve on? Have you been a good friend? Think about it, reflect, and determine how you can improve. We all can.

The Foundation is making some big moves but we need your help! In order to fulfill the plans we've made we need further funding. Any amount of money goes a long way towards helping the Foundation and we couldn't accomplish what we have if it weren't for you guys! If you have the time or feel compelled to donate, click on the button below. Have a blessed day, and look out for more TGT action!

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What's Been Up With TGT and UM

Lately, many of you have seen posts about the Foundation meeting with the University of Miami. For the last 2-3 weeks, the Foundation has been in talks with the university regarding establishing an endowment with the university. The Foundation is seeking to aid in the funding of the education of bright scholars wishing to attend the university in the fields of science. Investing in our future is what will make it great, and science is imperative to the progression of our society. In addition to establishing an endowment with the university, the Foundation met with Dr. Sacco, the Chair of the Neurology department at the university. Dr. Sacco specializes in stroke prevention, and is one of the leading neurologists in the country. The Foundation will be funding Dr. Sacco's research, as we believe that preventing diseases is more important than treating them. Now that we've caught you up to speed, join us in our journey as we strive to make the future a better, and safer place for years to come. In order for us to do so though, we need all the help we can get! Any donation goes a long way to helping the Foundation, and is greatly appreciated.

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The Tommy Tercilla Tree of Giving: How a Taekwondo Academy is Improving the Community

This week on our blog we want to acknowledge a beautiful and thoughtful gesture made by a local martial arts school, “Better Families Through Tae Kwon Do”.  Better Families is located in South Miami and since 1989, has been dedicated to strengthening families through the positive discipline of martial arts.  

On June 26, 2016, Better Families Through Tae Kwon Do gifted the Tercilla family and the local community with an amazing gift: The Thomas Tercilla Tree of Giving.  This Tree is mounted on a wall in the lobby of the Marital Arts School.   Currently, the tree is located in the middle of the wall but plans are that the tree will spread and grow with help from members of our community.  The idea is that whenever a good deed is performed by an individual in the community a leaf is added to the already flourishing tree. The reason behind this tree is an amazing young man, who is also the hero of our foundation, Thomas George Tercilla.  Tommy was an intelligent and kind person who consistently put others before himself and always tried to put a smile on someone’s face.  Tommy impacted many during his nineteen years with us and his impact on others hasn’t ceased.  He is affecting more and more people daily through the Foundation’s donations for neurological research, and by promoting kindness by others throughout our community.  Tommy’s character served as a beacon for many and the Thomas Tercilla Tree of Giving is just another extension of that. 

THANK YOU BETTER FAMILIES THROUGH TAE KWON DO, MASTER MARY BETH KLOCK-PEREZ AND GRAND MASTER DIEGO PEREZ!

Improving Mental Health - How a Few Lifestyle Changes Can Improve Mental Health

For most of us, we try to consistently be on our A game. Staying on your A game requires a mental edge, and good mental health is key. Our lives tend to also be pretty hectic though, and in turn we also fail to give our body the treatment it deserves, the treatment it needs, to keep up our A game. Diet, exercise, and sleep are vital to mental health, yet they also seem to be what's given up in our daily lives to make time for our schedules.

Adjusting your diet can provide quick results not only for your physique, but also your mental health. Research shows that mood, self-esteem, and feelings of positivity are largely dictated by the foods you eat. Foods such as fruits and vegetables have shown themselves to increase mental well-being, while high fat foods and sugars have shown themselves to higher rates of depression and anxiety. That's not to say that all fats and sugars are bad though. In fact, certain fats and sugars are actually vital to good physical and mental health. 

In addition to diet, implementing an exercise regimine into your daily schedule can do wonders for your mental health. For those suffering from anxiety and depression, doctors offer prescribe exercise as a method of treatment. Exercise has also been shown to improve the mental health of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. The natural endorphin rush that exercise gives you is sure to help you feel more euphoric, so go ahead and exercise next time your feeling down as well. 

Lastly, it seems everyone these days is sleep deprived. People are up at all hours, trying to maximize the amount of time they have in a day, and they're coming up short in devoting their time to sleep. Sleep not only is key to maintaining or preserving physical health, it is also key to maintaining mental health. Ever noticed that you're a bit crankier after a bad night of sleep? Or that your eyes hurt, you crave unhealthy food, or you feel a little bit more stressed out than usual? That's because your body needs sleep to properly recover from the daily tasks you throw at your body. Proper sleep has been shown to improve mood, diet, and decrease stress. Sleep will also help boost your immune system, helping you get sick less and cutting down on your visits to the doctor. 

For some, your diet, exercise, and sleep may already be in check. You're also probably reaping the benefits and are firing on all cylinders. For most though, this trifecta of health is out of balance and needs some little adjustment. If you feel you could use a little edge or feel that your health just isn't what it needs to be, give it a try and see how making these lifestyle changes work out for you, you'll probably be amazed. 

How Boxing Can Actually Help With Parkinson's

Muhammad Ali was one of boxing's greatest fighters ever, if not the greatest. Ali also fell sick with Parkinson's disease, a product of years of receiving crushing blows to his skull. If the sport caused this damage to Ali, why would someone with Parkinson's participate in it? Well, that's what's now happening at the Waukesha Athletic Club. Trainer Kathy Delker is utilizing boxing training techniques in order to improve the balance and stability of her trainees. The memorization and mental acuity required during training has greatly aided the trainees in their battle with Parkinson's. The training has led to improvements in their balance, stability, posture, and mental acuity. With so many senior citizens suffering from Parkinson's in the U.S., it would be nice to see more utilizing methods such as boxing in order to improve their standard of living, and help foster a healthier lifestyle. Having a form of disease is not the end of the road, it just means you have to adapt. Adapt for the better, and don't sell yourself short. And on that note, enjoy the rest of your week!

America's Alzheimer's Epidemic

As humans age, our bodies slowly deteriorate. Our bodies lose their youthful fortitude and succumb to the natural process of aging. We lose mental acuity, our bodies' biological processes slow, and we become more fragile. In this process of aging, for many, our minds also deteriorate. Many seniors in turn develop dementia, and a sizable portion of these seniors suffer from Alzheimer's disease. 

Alzheimer's is a disease that affects over 5 million Americans today. This number is expected to climb rapidly within the coming years as the Baby Boomer generation is reaching the 65 and older age range, the age range most susceptible to the disease. By the year 2050, it is expected that the number of Americans suffering from Alzheimer's will nearly triple. The mortality rate associated with Alzheimer's is also frightening. Those afflicted with the disease are twice as likely to die before they are 80 in comparison to the general population. In addition to this, Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. 

Alzheimer's is an issue that the Foundation will blog about again in the future. Today's blog was to raise awareness regarding the perils of Alzheimer's, but future posts will be more in-depth regarding the subjects at hand. Expect many topics to be posted about numerous times, with different takes on the subjects and regarding different aspects. 

TGT Blog Coming Soon

The Foundation will be beginning a blog covering current events in the field of neuroscience, as well as current events that can be applied to matters of neuroscience. Facts and trivia of neuroscience will also be posted on the blog.