Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheryl Mercedes and Kathleen Jara.
Sheryl and Kathleen, please share your story with us.
We are a Non-Profit Organization comprised of a group of Lester Dominguez’s family and friends. Our mission is to increase health awareness by fostering the importance of routine health check-ups. In short, no matter your current health status or how well you may feel, we encourage you to get checked by your doctor at least once a year.
The story behind our mission stems back to February 12, 2013. Lester Dominguez, woke up early that morning feeling a bit uneasy and decided to drive himself to the ER, only to find out he was actually having a heart attack. He had just turned 27 less than a month before. He also found out that not only was he diabetic but also had high blood pressure. The doctor also told him that the procedure had gone well and to rest up as he was looking to be discharged in a matter of days. Unfortunately, on the morning of Valentine’s Day, Lester suffered a second heart attack and passed away.
After his passing, we decided that there needed to be more education out there — more awareness. Using his nick-name and three-words that would best describe Lester’s character, we started L.E.S. Live Every Second.
Has it been a smooth road?
I wouldn’t say “super” smooth… there were definitely some challenges and lessons learned along the way. Through each event, each new idea came some learning. And each time we try and find more ways to improve and grow our outreach.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the L.E.S. Live Every Second story. Tell us more about the business.
L.E.S. Live Every Second puts together several events a year, each promoting physical activity, sharing the LES Story and reminding our community just how precious life is and how important that check-up is. Each event we host ties back to Lester in that he loved playing sports and bringing his family and friends together. All the funds/proceeds from each event go right back into the organization and used towards the next health awareness event. All of our members, Board of Directors and event leaders are all volunteers who believe in our mission.
What I am most proud of is that we are 5+ years old and still blessed to be able to share Lester’s story.
What sets us apart from other organizations is that we are educating on PREVENTATIVE care. We want you to start taking better care of yourselves NOW vs later. We encourage you to live a healthier lifestyle so you don’t have to battle through the pain and expenses of treating something that may have been easily been prevented.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
As part of our vision, we want to be able to be a “health hub”, where you can come to find your favorite Zumba class or the next local 5k or to help you find a Primary Care Physician. We want to be able to reach out to high school students, we feel that this is where we feel like we are just invincible, like we are at the top of our game and getting a physical drop to the bottom of your to-do list — but this is where the education should start.
We also want to be able to reach out to various businesses and remind them that getting a physical check-up is covered by their insurance and would cost nothing but a few minutes of your time. These visits could save your life.
Contact Info:
- Address: L.E.S. Live Every Second
8149 N. Greenwood Avenue
Niles, IL 60714 - Website: liveeverysecond.org
- Phone: 847.456.0830
- Email: les.liveeverysecond @gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliveeverysecond/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LES-Live-Every-Second-244451315698295/
Image Credit:
JoelRepulda Photography, JDS Photography, Pick a Pose Photography
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