Sermo CEO Launches ‘Be Your Possible’ to Raise Funds for Medical Research and Advocate for Those Battling Critical Illness

Organization’s Core Goal: Helping Others Find and Take Steps Toward Their Own Possible

NEW YORK, March 28, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Peter Kirk, CEO of Sermo, has launched Be Your Possible, a global charitable organization committed to raising funds for medical research and inspiring others to take steps towards their “possible”.

Be Your Possible’s mission to inspire others and fundraise for research was born from Kirk’s own harrowing experience of surviving Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow. After receiving a terminal diagnosis and being intubated in the ICU with double lung pneumonia, Kirk received a blood stem cell transplant that saved his life.

“A 25-year-old man named Sam saved my life when he donated 850 million wonderful stem cells that ultimately made my transplant possible,” Kirk said. “A kind stranger gave me another chance at life, and this wouldn’t have been conceivable without the decades of medical research that went into advancing the transplant process and the work of oncologists around the world. Through Be Your Possible, we’re aiming to expand access to life-saving medical treatments to people on a global scale by funding vital medical research, moving scientific breakthroughs forward, and offering support to those who receive critical diagnoses like mine.”

Peter’s “possible” is running 1,000 half marathons by the 10th anniversary of his transplant to raise $1 million for blood stem cell cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he received his own life-saving transplant. Be Your Possible will also offer opportunities and events to empower not only other patients, but everyone to take steps toward finding their own possible, from exercise to education and personal growth.

Be Your Possible’s flagship event is Run with Peter-Run for Research, a global doctor-led run that takes place annually in June. Inspired by Kirk’s incredible completion of the NYC Marathon five months post-transplant, the inaugural event mobilized thousands of physicians in 77 countries to run or walk with Kirk in support of medical research causes, chosen by physician runners themselves. Founding partner Sermo donated $250,000 to the various causes chosen by physician participants, including the American Heart Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where Kirk received his life-saving blood stem cell transplant.

Our core belief is that anything is possible, taking one step at a time TOGETHER. To learn more, visit beyourpossible.com

About Be Your Possible:

Born from Founder and Sermo CEO Peter Kirk’s harrowing experience with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, journey to recovery, and commitment to inspiring others to be their possible, Be Your Possible is a global charitable organization committed to raising awareness and funds for medical research to help others benefit from life-saving treatments, such as Peter’s own blood stem cell transplant.

The organization was founded in 2022 launching its first initiative, Run with Peter-Run for Research, a global movement mobilizing thousands of physicians to run or walk in support of medical research.

Peter’s “possible” is running 1,000 half marathons by the 10th anniversary of his transplant.

We pledge to empower not only other patients, but everyone to take steps toward finding their own possible, from exercise to education and personal growth. Our core belief is that anything is possible, by taking one step at a time, TOGETHER. To learn more, visit beyourpossible.com

About Sermo:

Sermo is the largest global healthcare research company and the most trusted physician engagement platform. Sermo engages with more than 1.3 million HCPs across 150 countries and has reach into the U.S. Payer market that now exceeds 230M commercial lives covered.

For over 20 years, Sermo has been turning physician experience, expertise, and observations into actionable business insights that benefit pharmaceutical companies, healthcare partners, and the medical community at large. Sermo offers on-demand access to physicians via a proprietary health-tech ecosystem to gain targeted HCP insights that inform strategic decisioning in real-time. Visit www.sermo.com/business

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230328005418/en/

Contacts

Media:
Allyson Noonan
AN Communications
allyson.noonan@gmail.com

Cardiologist Says Seemingly Healthy Food Can Raise Cholesterol Levels

  • Ingesting a lot more plant-dependent food items can lead to a healthier diet, but way too significantly processed foods can backfire.
  • A cardiologist claimed plant-primarily based processed foods normally incorporates coconut oil that can raise cholesterol concentrations. 
  • Coconut oil is larger in saturated unwanted fat than butter, which can make it a significantly less healthful choice for your heart. 

Seemingly-balanced plant-primarily based foodstuff can basically raise your cholesterol stages, thanks to a stunning source of saturated extra fat, according to a cardiologist.

Dr. Harmony Reynolds, a cardiologist at NYU Langone, said she noticed a sample with her clients who ingested more coconut oil, a typical ingredient in vegan processed foodstuff.

“I discovered to request patients about this because I was observing various people whose LDL cholesterol was going up since they released coconut oil-that contains foodstuff,” she informed Insider. 

Reynolds mentioned coconut oil is between foods she almost hardly ever eats as a cardiologist, since it really is large in a variety of fat called saturated unwanted fat that can improve your amounts of LDL cholesterol. At times termed “terrible” cholesterol, as well a great deal LDL cholesterol is connected to elevated risk of heart illness and stroke. 

Checking labels can support you be knowledgeable of how substantially coconut oil you might be consuming. You should really harmony your saturated excess fat intake, retaining it to significantly less than 6{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} of your overall calories, in accordance to American Heart Association suggestions.

Coconut oil can clearly show up in unpredicted places, like vegan baked products, dairy substitutes, and frozen meals

Coconut oil is typically used as a butter substitute in vegan baking and cooking, and is common simply because it offers a fat supply which is sound at space temperature to support give foodstuff the right texture.  

It displays up in a massive array of vegan products from cookies and pastries, to dairy-free versions of cheese, ice product, or espresso creamer, and even in pre-made meals like frozen burrito bowls or stir-fry kits.  

But it truly is a misconception that coconut oil is a much healthier alternative to butter or seed oils like canola, because it consists of more saturated fat than butter. It can be also superior in calories, which can be a disadvantage if you are seeking to observe your pounds — one particular tablespoon adds about 120 calories.

One reason coconut oil is sometimes regarded as balanced is that it’s substantial in a kind of fatty acids termed medium-chain triglycerides, which some proof suggests can be absorbed more quickly than other body fat resources, most likely boosting bodyweight reduction, electricity, and brain health and fitness, though much more analysis is wanted. 

Over-all, it must be made use of sparingly in your diet regime, if at all, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Study indicates olive oil is a healthier selection, with some proof is can support lower the possibility of heart disorder. 

Many of the vegan foodstuff made up of coconut oil are also extremely-processed, which usually means that they contain additives like salt, sugar, and excess fat, and typically have much less vitamins and fiber. Investigation implies feeding on far too substantially processed foods can boost the risk of ailments like coronary heart disorder and cancer. 

While no single food items can make or crack your wellbeing, dietitians recommend restricting processed foodstuff, even if they are plant-dependent.

“There’s a large amount a lot more terrific selections out there right now, but you can be a vegan on a soda and potato chips food plan,” registered dietitian nutritionist Wendy Bazilian formerly instructed Insider. “That’s vegan, and it could even have a beautiful splashy label that states it, but you will be at danger for some dietary deficits by that.”

Bazilian and other dietitians endorse next a plant-based diet plan wealthy in entire meals like fruit, veggies, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. 

Proof indicates the positive aspects of a nutritious plant-centered food plan involve introducing years to your lifestyle, cutting down danger of continual illnesses, and improving mood and power.