Octavia Browder Walks the Talk

At Cenpatico we say we Inspire Hope. Cenpatico Contract Implementation Manager Octavia Browder is proof of that with her work with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“Cancer is a worldwide epidemic,” said Browder. “If it hasn’t affected your life in some way, it will.”

Cancer has affected Browder’s life. Two years ago, her mother was diagnosed with Colon Cancer; a disease that runs in her family. After a year long battle, she passed away.

During her mother’s struggle, Browder received an e-mail from The American Cancer Society. There she learned more about the Relay, the Society’s annual signature activity. Browder decided it was time for her to do more and take a stand…or in this case a walk against Cancer.

The Relay for Life is in its 25th year. It started in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Washington surgeon who decided to travel around a track for 24 hours in order to raise awareness for Cancer. Since then the Relay has become a nationwide event with over 3.5 million participants annually. While Relays may differ from city to city, there are a few features that are the same. One is that each relay is an overnight event up to 24 hours in length. The color purple is used as the color of inspiration and each team is asked to have at least one team member on the track at all times.

“The symbol for the Relay is a half moon/half sun with a star to symbolize that Cancer doesn’t sleep and neither do the relayers,” said Browder. “From the dawn of a person having Cancer throughout the night we keep fighting.”

The Relay is more than just walk. It’s a celebration of those who have battled and survived Cancer and a remembrance for loved ones lost to the disease. Most Relays open with a “Survivors’ Lap” where those who have battled Cancer walk around the track. There is also a Luminaria Ceremony where lighted bags decorated with the names of those who have fought or lost the battle with Cancer are placed on the ground and a moment of silent remembrance is taken. Most relays end with a Closing Ceremony where everyone takes one final lap together.

For the past two years Browder has put together a team of family and friends to honor her mother. In order to raise money for her team, Browder passed out Luminary Bags, wrapped Christmas presents in the Mall, and other activities to raise awareness. While no set amount of money is needed to participate, the American Cancer Society sets a goal of $500 for each team and $100 for each person. Many in the community donate more than just money. “For our walk there will be free food, silent auctions, and bands playing throughout the relay to keep us up and motivated,” said Browder.

Her mother’s passing has also opened her eyes to get checked herself. She and her sister continue to get check-ups to make sure they stay healthy and can detect any problems before they start.

“Cancer is year round,” said Browder. “Even if you miss the Relay in your area, you can still help the fight to find a cure.”

Click to learn more about the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. To support Browder’s team check out her team page.

This entry is filed under Close Up.

Arizona Governor Janice K. Brewer awarded Cenpatico Arizona’s Policy Developer Linda Weinberg with a Certificate of Appreciation for her work as Chair of the Work Force Development Committee and her commitment to substance abuse prevention. To learn more about Weinberg and her work in the community read her Close Up.

We at Cenpatico are very proud of Weinberg and her work with the people of Arizona.

This entry is filed under News.

Kelvin Baron Rocks!

As lead guitarist for the Austin, TX based band Tornahdo, Cenpatico’s Web Portal Specialist Kelvin Baron is making his mark in “The Live Music Capitol of the World.”

Baron has been at Cenpatico for three years, playing the computer keyboard daily, as the single point of contact for Cenpatico’s web portal support and managing its day to day operation.

But, outside our walls, Baron’s instrument of choice is the guitar which he has been playing for nine years, though that wasn’t his first preference. “I started out drumming, but had to switch because a full drum set in an apartment isn’t the easiest thing to make work and doesn’t make you friends with the neighbors.” Baron’s parents saw how interested he was in music so they pointed him in a new direction. “My parents gave me my first guitar,” Baron said. “They are very supportive of me. I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for them.”

Baron’s parents aren’t the only ones supporting him. “At least one Cenpatico employee has been at every show we’ve played. Everyone here has been very supportive of us,” said Baron.

The “us” Baron refers to is his band Tornahdo, (the name comes from a lyric by the band Joan of Arc, “You say Tornado, I say Tornahdo.”) a five piece rock group consisting of Kurt Rightler on bass, Burt Snover on keyboard/synthesizer, Aaron Perez on drums, and Ayde Navarro on saxophone/percussion.

The best way to describe Tornahdo’s sound is, as Baron puts it, “Rock and roll without frontiers. We’re a rock band at heart, but we like to experiment with other genres in our music.” When asked his favorite kind of music, Baron quickly says, “Mathrock.” That sounds perfect for someone who works with a web portal, but might not be what you think. “Mathrock,” according to Baron, “is a hybrid between the stuffy rock of the early 1970s and the snarly rock and frantic punk of the late 70s/early 80s. It’s a fusion of punk and progressive rock.” That can be seen…or better heard in Baron’s musical influences: The Mars Volta, King Crimson, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Frank Zappa.

Tornahdo has only been together about 16 months, but has already been asked to play in the World famous South by Southwest Music Festival. “That hasn’t set in yet,” explains Baron. “Getting to this point so quickly was a shock. I don’t think it will truly hit me that we’re playing this festival until we’re setting up right before the show.”

Baron hopes that by year’s end Tornahdo will begin recording their first album and the band plans on hitting more cities this summer.

To see Tornhado at South by Southwest, check out their free outdoor show March 19th at 516 E. 6th Street in Austin, TX. The show starts at 8pm. To learn more about the band check out www.myspace.com/tornahdo

This entry is filed under Close Up.

This February marked the 9th anniversary of the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference. The Conference looks to raise awareness of behavioral health and other issues in the African American community;  a community where sometimes stigma becomes a large hurdle discouraging some from seeking and getting the help they need.

The Conference was a success. Over 550 conference attendees, volunteers, workshop presenters and keynote speakers from across the nation gathered for the two-day event.

Cenpatico was very proud to be a major sponsor of the event and to send some of our own to be at the Conference. Here are some of their thoughts and experiences from the two-day event.

“This was my first time attending the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference, and will not be my last. I met a lot of intelligent, funny, caring and dedicated people who all came together to share and support this wonderful cause. It was such a great experience to educate the African American Community about how mental illness affects everyone no matter what your ethnic background is. So many times in the community, African Americans are embarrassed to seek help when we need it. We choose to seek counseling through our church pastors. At the conference, it was rewarding to be able to offer a member counseling from a professional counselor who also has religious affiliations.  Just being able to offer these services opened the door for so many people. I gained so much from this conference. I made friendships and contacts in the community. I met people who feel as passionately about helping others as I do. Most importantly I met those members of our community who we serve everyday, who motivate me to get out of bed daily and inspire me to do what I do everyday. I felt honored and blessed to be apart of a wonderful event.”  – Michael Burnett, Care Coordinator

“It was very exciting to be a part of the Central African American Support Conference. Having more than 10 years of behavioral health experience, I’ve witnessed first hand the barriers some African Americans experience when attempting to obtain needed behavioral health services. It’s wonderful being affiliated with a healthcare organization that recognizes theses barriers and provide opportunities to help link individuals to needed services within the community.” – Bertina Rice, Trainer

To learn more about the Conference check out their website www.ctaafsc.org

This entry is filed under Blog.

On Sunday, March 1, 2009, Cenpatico began managing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) behavioral health benefits for Absolute Total Care by Total Carolina Care (Absolute Total Care) in South Carolina. To visit their website please check out  www.absolutetotalcare.com.

Cenpatico is excited to be working with Absolute Total Care and South Carolina as we all look to inspire hope to the people we serve.

This entry is filed under News.