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LOCAL AUTHORS TO OFFER HOLISTIC BOOK TOUR SUPPORTING LIFE AFTER CANCER This October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, authors Melissa Aguirre of The Innate Design and Natalie Holland of Scarred but Smarter are teaming up to provide a holistic book tour about the recovery and maintenance of well-being. This tour will guide, nourish and support those in reclaiming life after cancer while cultivating a community of self care and support. Mark your calendar for the PINK PARTY at Mel Marie Yoga (11844 Wurzbach, San Antonio) to attend the book tour on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 6–9 p.m. Visit melmarieyoga.com for more information. PROSTHETIC FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIR RECEIVES THE BAPTIST HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD Commitment to the Amputee Community is at the Heart of His Calling Demetrios Macris, MD, was awarded the Baptist Health System Humanitarian of the Year award for his work with The Prosthetic Foundation, an organization he founded and for which he currently serves as Board President. "Loss of a limb is not only devastating, but a life-changing event that forces an individual and his or her family, to re-think the approach to daily living," Dr. Macris says. "Our goal is to provide amputees the most basic and essential right, which is to walk again." It is estimated that one in 10 amputees are unable to obtain a prosthesis due to financial difficulty. A large number of people have no insurance or are underinsured, which makes a prosthesis, and the abil - ity to be mobile again, unattainable. Realizing this problem, Dr. Macris founded The Prosthetic Foundation in 2010 to help underserved amputees obtain a prosthetic limb at no cost to them. The impact of this program has transformed 61 lives since that day. "A deep desire to help others is at the heart of our calling as physi - cians," says Lynnette Watkins, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Baptist Health System. "In San Antonio, we are truly blessed to work with physicians who extend their skills and compassion to others in service and mis - sion, whether such invaluable service be in faraway lands or among those who are in need right here in San Antonio, such is the case with Dr. Macris." Many are not aware of the devastating statistics of diabetes and limb loss that affect our community. Here are a few alarming facts: More than 500 Americans lose a limb every day. In 2014, 50,000 Bexar County residents had diabetes, and among those, approximately 2,000 people lost a limb. The prevalence of diabetes in San Antonio is projected to double or triple by 2050, potentially leading to more amputations. Prolonged wheelchair confinement dramatically increases respira - tory and wound complications, risk of pulmonary embolus, and other medical complications. With this in mind, The Prosthetic Foundation was founded with a mis- sion to bridge the gap between the need of a prosthesis and those will- ing to help restore full mobility and resumption of normal life activities. D r. Macris and The Foundation board have made great strides in helping amputees regain their livelihood and have given a voice to those amputees who are most in need. n Demetrios Macris, MD 2 2❱❱❱❱❱ A R O U N D T O W N