Hey y'all- IT'S FINALLY WDW MARATHON WEEKEND!!
I'll be posting like a maniac on Instagram and Twitter this week/weekend so make sure you're following along to see all the Disney goodness!
In honor of this week-long celebration of running, I have another inspirational runner to introduce you to, Bindu Panapalli. Bindu has survived ovarian cancer and a resulting injury to her leg due to eight rounds of chemotherapy. Despite the challenges she's faced, Bindu will toe the line for the Walt Disney World 10k on Friday. Thank you, Cigna, for allowing me to share these awesome stories! Enjoy!
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Bindu Panapalli, 47 years old and resident of Glen Allen, Va. near
Richmond, always felt a desire to help people with cancer through research. By
February 2016, she found herself at the start of 18 months of firsthand
experience battling the disease through three surgeries and eight rounds of
chemo – she just didn’t know it at the time.
Her journey began with a scheduled surgery to treat fibroids and a
hysterectomy, leaving her bedridden. Six weeks later, persistent pain led the
doctor to find a bowel obstruction and scheduled another surgery. This time,
the doctor discovered ovarian cancer and it spread. Six rounds of chemotherapy,
which also caused numbness in her leg hindering her ability to walk, stretched
from summer into the fall. By November, the third surgery removed the rest of
the cancer, but the battle still required two more rounds of chemotherapy in
February 2017 before she could finally say she would feel like she’s truly
recovering.
“I never thought I would get cancer,” Bindu recalled. “Even before all
this, I wanted to help people with cancer as a researcher. After the diagnosis
and treatment, I volunteered at the cancer treatment center every Thursday
encouraging people during chemotherapy treatment. I was even on the bone marrow
donor list.”
By August, she felt ready to start thinking about a return to work. She
researched what her employer’s Cigna disability insurance benefits offered
including the vocational coaching program, so she requested referral. That’s
when she met Robin Randol, her Cigna vocational coach, who offered assistance.
“Every customer’s needs are different,” said Robin. “What she wanted was
to build up her physical strength, so we talked about self-care and various
strategies and tips to address fatigue and stamina. She also wanted to find a
new job that matched her passion. We talked about career goals, updated her
resume, and I provided help researching job leads.”
Well-educated, Bindu’s background includes nearly enough for a doctorate
from India. She hopes to take her work history, education, and personal
experience to help people.
“I want to help people,” said Bindu. “I want to interact with patients.
Not sit in a lab anymore, but a make a real difference in people’s lives. Now,
that I’ve had this experience fighting cancer, I can be even more helpful.”
Robin helped prepare her for job interviews and gave her the
encouragement she’s needed to help take back her health and move closer to a
job for which she can feel truly passionate.
One of the training programs Robin offered was the Cigna customer
referral program with Achilles International, a non-profit organization
dedicated to helping people with disabilities participate in athletic events.
Cigna partners with organizations like Achilles International to help customers
achieve their health and return to work goals by providing: access to
additional rehabilitation resources including ergonomic office equipment,
software, education and accommodations to help customers stay safe and be
productive at work, encouragement and support, resume review and job placement
assistance.
As a result of her hard work and dedication, Cigna offered Bindu the
opportunity to participate in the Walt Disney World® 10K presented by Cigna on
Friday, January 5th as a member of Team Cigna. She will be guided on the race
course by Jonathan Prokup, Cigna's executive sponsor of Achilles International
and General Counsel for Cigna.
“I’m celebrating my 21st wedding anniversary in January at the race,”
said Bindu. “When I cross that finish line, I want to raise a glass and
celebrate life.”
The Cigna Customer Referral Program with Achilles International
demonstrates Cigna’s promise to partner with customers “Together, All the Way”
along their unique health journey. When injury or illness occurs, Cigna helps
them get back on track to achieve their goals.
“For Cigna customers, participating in a race represents a healthy
milestone on the road to recovery, but also independence,” said Robin. “As
people gain physical strength, they also build confidence, which can positively
affect all areas of your life.”
“Cancer is a part of me,” said Bindu. “It changed my life completely.
Now, because of Robin, I’m back at work part time work with a new employer
building towards full time. I want to thank Robin because now I can look
forward.”
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Pretty amazing, right?!
If you're running this weekend at Disney (or anywhere else), GOOD LUCK! Remember, when your legs get tired, run with your heart. ❤
