Gov. Jack Markell and Lt. Gov. Matt Denn have issued a proclamation recognizing September as Pain Awareness Month.

The proclamation was issued by Delaware’s highest office holders to encourage all citizens to educate themselves and their communities about the seriousness of this problem. In response to this call for action, Pain Linx, in cooperation with Integrative Health Beebe Healthcare, has been created. Its purpose is to raise community awareness and teach pain management skills as well as provide support for its members.  

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, pain costs $100 billion annually in lost work days, medical expenses and other benefit costs. Pain personally affects one in three people and causes more disability than cancer and heart disease combined.

The initial meeting will be held from 3 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the McCurry Conference Room, first floor, Beebe Medical Arts Building, Route 24 campus. Subsequent meetings starting Nov. 3 will be on the first Monday of each month in the same location.

The guest speaker for Sept. 23 will be Cheyenne Luzader, MS, coordinator of Integrative Health, who will share highlights from her Oct. 2 workshop, Self-Care Strategies for Chronic Pain. She will also discuss Beebe’s free community classes for the fall.

For more information contact Phil Mandel, 302-645-1543, email phil.mandel@gmail.com; or Sherry McGoldrick, 302-448-1864, email energyfourhealing@gmail.com.