The entire Pershun Family would like to Thanks our extended Gymnastics Family (Team Gymnasts, Rec. Gymnasts, Parents, Alumni, Staff, Judges, USAG Clubs... for you support during our trying time. We appreciate the love, the kindnesses, and the patience you extended to us!
In Octoberish, start of the School Year and Competitive Season, I (co-owner) Douglas Pershun took ill. Initially, my illness was thought to be a 'flare-up' from an auto-immune disease - (Rheumatoid Arthritis) I had already been diagnosed with in 2020. As symptoms progressively symptoms got worse, the doctors tried more aggressive treatments to manage the disease.
It turns out that the RA symptoms were masking a more sinister disease - Leukemia. Leukemia (a blood cancer) like all cancers are horrible diseases. When it hits home - and a loved one (or yourself) is diagnosed with cancer - it's a real blow to all and forces a lot of immediate changes.
I am currently receiving treatments & chemotherapy, and the doctors are optimistic that I have a good chance of beating this.
What I want to do however is to THANK - profusely and from the bottom of my heart - ALL of you who have... sent cards, emails, blankets, cookies, meals to my family, prayers, designed / bought Team Lightning Leukemia T-shirts, visited....
I want to Thank my wife (co-owner) Tina- my 'Rock' who tried to hold down the business doing double duty there while also serving a new role as Nurse.
I want to Thank my 2 Children for stepping up - not just for me, but for my wife and the gym to make sure everything still went smoothly.
I want to Thank my Staff, who understood immediately that they needed to step up and take additional hours and roles to allow our family time to adapt and keep the gym running smooth.
I want to Thank my Team Lightning Optionals... who took direction well from my Asst. Coaches and worked hard to make us proud this season.
And again, I want to Thank our extended Gymnastics Family who showered us with support and anything and everything we needed.
We can't tell you how much all the little things have touched us and helped us through this most difficult time. We are so Thankful and Fortunate to have you as part of our Family!