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Truex Jr. steers support to cancer patients

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor

To Martin Truex Jr., racing in the NASCAR circuit means more than jockeying between competitors.

The New Jersey native and his longtime partner, Sherry Pollex, use his position to support the community with causes like ovarian and childhood cancers.

“We were so fortunate as kids to be healthy and to have great families and access to things to be successful,” Truex Jr. said. “We felt very fortunate, and we do our part to help give back to kids.”

Truex Jr. and Pollex established the foundation in 2007, which started as a way to help children in need.

In 2014, Pollex was diagnosed with stage-three ovarian cancer and the couple refocused their mission to raise awareness, boost advocacy and generate financial support for underfunded cancer initiatives specific to childhood and ovarian cancers.

Pollex’s cancer recurred in December, according to her Instagram.

“Unfortunately, my cancer is back (which is expected with Stage 3C recurrent ovarian cancer as the cancer begins to outsmart the drugs we are on),” Pollex said in her posted message, which included photos of her and Truex Jr. in her hospital room. “So here I am going to battle again.

“Praying my doctors can remove all of the disease so I can start chemo again soon and be out there fighting for all of you soon! Much love to all of you out there fighting or caring for a loved one that is.”

The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation recently broke ground on the pediatric emergency department at Novant Health in Huntersville, North Carolina. NBC Sports reported the foundation is well known within racing circles for its Catwalk for a Cause in Statesville, North Carolina. It has steered $600,000 toward cancer initiatives at Atrium Health and Novant Health in Charlotte.

The foundation and Pollex’s organization, Sherry Strong, celebrated the grand opening of the Sherry Strong Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic at Novant Health’s new Weisinger Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Truex will put rubber to the road on Saturday, Nov. 6, during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. Truex won the first race of the 2021 season in Avondale in March.

“That was my first win at the track,” he said. “I always feel like it’s a good track for me. It was one of my better tracks until they repaved it in 2011.” Then known as Phoenix International Raceway, the track was repaved into a reconfigured 1-mile oval for about $10 million. “It’s been hit or miss since they repaved it,” said Truex Jr., the driver of the No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. “The last couple of years have been tough on us. We’re definitely feeling really good about it now.” Besides Avondale, he won Martinsville I, Darlington 1 and Richmond II this season. He is one of seven Cup Series drivers to have won multiple races this year (Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott).

For the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series, which starts at the Daytona 500, fans will see cars that are more cost effective for teams and safer for drivers. It will also reportedly intensify the quality of racing,

“It’s going to be a big learning curve for us,” he said. “The new car is so different, compared to what we’ve done in the past. It’ll be interesting.”

Martin Truex Jr. uses his position to support the community with causes like ovarian and childhood cancers. (Photos courtesy of Getty Images)

IF YOU GO...

WHAT: NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 WHERE: Phoenix Raceway, 7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive, Avondale COST: Tickets start at $35 INFO: phoenixraceway.com Martin Truex Jr. and his longtime partner, Sherry Pollex, established a foundation in 2007 to help children in need.

Heart Beat: How to Spot a Clot

By: DR. RAHUL MALHOTRA, MD, FACC, FSCAI PAID ADVERTISEMENT

A thrombosis is a blood clot that blocks the normal flow of blood through an artery or vein. Thromboses can occur anywhere in the body including the upper limbs (arms), though this is typically less frequent than occurrences in the lower extremities. When they occur in a deep vein, such as the veins of the lower leg, they are known as deep vein thromboses (or, DVT).

Risks of a DVT. DVTs cause death of the surrounding tissue, swelling and pain. They can be particularly dangerous when part of the clot breaks off and travels to the lung (causing a pulmonary embolism or, clot in the lung) or to the brain (causing a stroke). The resulting damage is always significant and may lead to sudden death. Who is Impacted. According to the National Blood Clot Alliance, 274 people die every day from the consequences of a blood clot. Neither age nor gender offer protection: you can develop a clot just as easily at 25 years of age as at 85 years of age. Most are the result of a traumatic injury, a surgical complication or due to taking hormone replacement therapy. Smoking and some birth control medications also present an increased risk of blood clots.

What to Watch For. Symptoms of a DVT in the leg include swelling and cramping pain or soreness in the calf muscles. The skin over the area can become reddened or warm to the touch because of the underlying inflammation. DVTs can also occur without warning and without noticeable symptoms.

The warning signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (or clot to the lung) include:

•Shortness of breath that is sudden and unaccountable •Chest pain or discomfort that visibly worsens when you inhale deeply or when you cough • Feeling lightheaded and/or dizzy, or fainting • Fast heartbeat or rapid pulse • Coughing up blood

If you have any of the symptoms noted above, seek medical attention immediately.

Early Detection. By maintaining your heart health through healthy habits, proactively managing your risk for heart disease, and following your prescribed heart care plan, you will be well on your way on your heart health journey. While blood clots, DVTs and other vessel blockages pose serious dangers, regular cardiovascular screenings can help to identify DVTs and other blood clots at an early stage, allowing for timely, and often minimally invasive, intervention to avoid potentially serious outcomes. If it's been a while since you had a heart check-up, I encourage you to make an appointment today.

Dr. Rahul Malhotra, MD, FACC, FSCAI is the Medical Director at Arizona Heart & Vascular Clinic.

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‘Gratitude on the Green’ Third annual First Responders Charity Golf Tournament

BY PEORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Peoria Chamber of Commerce is hosting its third annual First Responders Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, Jan. 31, at Blackstone Country Club at Vistancia.

Last year’s event was a complete sellout in the middle of COVID-19 restrictions. The tourney generated $10,000 to support police and fire organizations, demonstrate gratitude and show ongoing commitment for their tireless work.

The chamber recognizes the significant impact associated with the work police and firefighters do. Dedicating this event is our way of showing our appreciation for each of them, their families and the risks they take each and every day to protect us.

The Peoria Chamber of Commerce is proud to again partner with Law Enforcement Specialists, the title sponsor for the third year in a row.

We work alongside generous sponsors and volunteers whose visions align with the mission of our tournament.

“We again are excited and energized to partner with Law Enforcement Specialists as our 2022 title sponsor supporting our First Responder Golf Tournament,” said Scot Andrews, president and chief executive officer of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce.

“CEO Bonnie Lucas and her team believe in the sacrifice and dedication our first responders bring to our community every day. We look forward to another engaging fun event with LES and demonstrating our appreciation, respect and, of course, through our dollars gifted to our first responders.”

Lucas founded the security firm to address this important need of “putting the law on your side” by providing the resources to coordinate police officers for off-duty work.

“The success of LES is only possible because of our brave police officers,” she said.

“They are the best humans on this earth. We have the privilege of helping supplement their income by doing what they love while providing better lives for their fami-

SEE GOLF PAGE 2 Peoria Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer and President Scot Andrews and Councilmember Bridget Binsbacher present the First Responders Cup to James Willis, Joey Smith, Jason Tarrant and Amanda Gaines of Peoria Police Department. (Photo courtesy of Peoria Chamber of Commerce)

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Employers struggle with motivations filling open roles

BY SCOT ANDREWS President and Chief Executive Officer Preoria Chamber of Commerce

Dependable labor and unemployment is a challenge across Arizona. Alternatives to hourly work create attractive options for qualified individuals. Some people seeking assistance to help in between landing another job can, and do, take advantage of employers’ desperation. When it comes to money, fraud and, in this case, unemployment fraud can occur.

Relationships with job seekers are another important driver when showing up for an interview. How does an employer navigate this challenge?

First, there are thousands of job openings throughout Arizona and Peoria — all in a wide variety of industries and skill levels. And out of this population, anywhere from 25% to 30% seek unemployment. To claim unemployment, there are specific criteria to follow. One element is that job seekers must certify how many hours they’ve worked and if they’ve made any job contacts or interviews. They’re required to complete many job contacts a week.

Individuals must be truthful and do their part to claim benefits. Unfortunately, there are fraudulent claimants. Many of our Peoria employers state their positions are not being filled. Why, you say?

A key reason is due to “no shows.” Candidates are called and scheduled for interviews, yet the candidates don’t show up — for many reasons. But the trend is concerning and impacts time and money for Peoria businesses. While we know of no direct correlation between “no shows” and people on unemployment, it is a consistent complaint from our employers. Those claiming unemployment are unlikely to be caught unless detected during the scheduling process.

Job seekers receiving unemployment while failing to make those job contacts in good faith are committing fraud. If they are attached to a job and their employer calls them back and they actively do not respond, it is fraud. They should lose benefits or have to repay benefits based on the length of time it has been occurring. Employers that suspect fraud should immediately report it to the labor governing agency. Finally, job seekers have many alternatives, regardless of motivation. Many are at hourly rates above minimum wage and thus are attractive. Employers must seek to build a relationship and equity with job seekers in the first set of interactions and discussions before the interview is scheduled. Stressing the company’s culture and opportunity spectrum for growth and career development must be stressed and merchandised to compete for the job seeker’s time and attention. And pay for performance and results.

In this competitive job market, effective acquisition strategies and value-based communications are the new normal to see your job candidates engage fully in your hiring process.

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Sara Brown and her daughter Josephina offer in-person and virtual paint classes along with DIY paint kits through their company Happy Canvas LLC. (Photo courtesy of Peoria Chamber of Commerce)

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Show your support and donate or volunteer to support this great West Valley and Peoria event! Registration is open at peoriachamber.com/events. Don’t golf? Sponsor a first responder to participate in the tournament. For more information on sponsorship and support opportunities, email events@ peoriachamber.com.

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Calendar of events

• Marketing Monday

Noon to 1 p.m. Monday,

Nov. 8, on Zoom • Business Alliance Meeting:

Advocating for Businesses

4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, on

Zoom

• Percolate Peoria - Arizona

Broadway Theater

8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9 • Ribbon Cutting:

Rotchford and Associates

4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, open house

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• Ribbon Cutting:

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Noon to 2 p.m. Monday Nov. 15, open house • Health and Wellness Committee 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday,

Nov. 18, Encompass Health • Women 4 Women Networking

Group

8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Friday,

Nov. 19, at Arrowhead Valley

Retirement Resort • Military Affairs Committee 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday,

Nov. 24

To register for an event, visit peoriachamber.com/events.

new MeMbers

• AAdvanced Pool Care • Arizona Self Storage • Edge Home Finance

Corporation -

Joe Knows Home Loans • Farmers Insurance: Hilaire • Kounouho Agency • TYR Tactical

MeMber renewals

• BMO Harris Bank • Della’s Inspirations LLC • Glendale Community College • Immanuel Campus of Care • Law Enforcement Specialists

Inc. • Peoria North Rotary Club