Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, October 17, 2008

'Within all challenges there are opportunities,' even with cancer

 Sherry Lebed Davis of Lynnwood, 62, helped create a therapeutic exercise program called "Focus on Healing: The Lebed Method" with her two brothers, both surgeons, during her mother's struggle to beat breast cancer. Davis was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 and has since devoted her life to helping others heal through movement and dance. She was nominated by Kay Matthews of Seattle, who wrote this essay:

"Within all challenges there are opportunities to help one's self, and more importantly, to help others. This is but one of the inspirations I have received from Sherry Lebed Davis since the day she walked into my salon seeking hair extensions.

"I found out that she was losing her hair due to a medical treatment for a life-threatening disease, and had also just undergone treatment for breast cancer. I was to learn, as our friendship blossomed, that challenges to Sherry are not obstacles. Challenges are merely bumps on the street of life that one may need to slow down slightly to negotiate, but should never cause one to stop.

"Over the years, Sherry has demonstrated what self-confidence and determination can mean. While in the midst of her own treatment for breast cancer, Sherry was determined to help as many survivors as possible.

"She and her two surgeon brothers developed a therapeutic exercise program called "Focus on Healing, The Lebed Method," and began knocking on doors. When those doors were not opened for her, she found a way to open them herself. Her program is now in over 600 hospitals and 15 countries.

"Sherry has had many health-related crises, but through them all, she reminds me that we should count our blessings, not our sorrows. She believes that what can be conceived can be achieved. I believe that because of her.

"Sherry's encouragement to forge ahead in the face of uncertainties has resonated in my own life. I am proud to call her my friend."
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA