Having lost her mother and her grandmother to cancer, Takisha knows how important preventive screenings can be, so she goes for regular checkups without fail. She also attends the Fund’s quarterly wellness workshops, as well as a Fund-sponsored annual health fair at work. Taking what she’s learned at these events, Takisha stays as active as possible. She’s created a home gym, where she practices yoga, works out with a punching bag, does strength training and uses an elliptical machine. Her exercise routine even helps keep her mild asthma in check, so she doesn’t need to rely on inhalers or other medications.

After recovering from her illness, Takisha also took her doctor’s advice and changed her diet by reducing her intake of sugar, bread and coffee, drinking more tea, and steaming vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. She has been symptom- and pain-free ever since—and after losing 20 pounds, she is now at what she feels is a more comfortable weight. Now that her medical conditions are under control and she’s following a healthy lifestyle, Takisha continues to get wellness inspiration from the Benefit Fund, such as the Protecting Our Health calendars she has on display in her home. She also looks forward to reading each issue of For Your Benefit. “I get motivated by the stories of people like me, who’ve changed their lifestyles to eat healthier and exercise more,” she explained. “I have relatives who are lively and active in their 60s and 70s. I hope if I follow all of the advice I’m getting, I can be like that too.”