ST. FRANCIS DE SALES DEANERY - The pain of recent loss is still reflected in Bob Kroeger's eyes as he talks about his late wife, Brenda, who lost her courageous battle with cancer Jan. 24. Yet Kroeger, a dentist, is finding strength by honoring Brenda's memory and helping others through the work of an organization he founded last year - the American Foundation for Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse.

COURTESY PHOTO

The Kroeger family poses together in an undated photo. Pictured from left are Robert Kroeger and his late wife, Brenda, their daughter, Kimberly-Kroeger Geoppinger, son-in-law, Jeff, and sons Rob, Jon, Michael and David.

Nine months later, Brenda was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated with asbestos exposure. "This puzzles me, because my wife, as many of us in the over-40 population, had only secondary to exposure to asbestos," Kroeger said.

He began to wonder if there was any connection between Brenda's sexual abuse and cancer diagnosis, along with various other health problems she had dealt with over the years. Through his research, Kroeger said he discovered 26 physical, psychological and social problems linked to sexual abuse. This includes 12 actual physical diseases such as cancer and diabetes. (The others, along with references, are listed on the foundation's website at www.stopsexualabusenow.org.)

One resource Kroeger found particularly helpful was The Link between Religious and Health, edited by Harvey J. Cohen and Harold Koenig, medical researchers at Duke University. The book refreshed his knowledge, Kroeger explained, on the link between stress and illness. "I realize there have only been a few studies showing an increased risk of cancer for survivors of sexual abuse, but I think many other problems associated with this trauma establish sexual abuse as one of America's most pressing health issues," he said. "Between 25 to 30 percent of women are survivors and 10 to 15 percent of men, which is probably under-reported. Perhaps once the stigma and taboo is lifted, survivors will become more willing to share such information."

He established the Foundation for the Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse last summer with the goal of publicizing the link between sexual abuse and its related health consequences and to "remove the veil of secrecy so people feel free to talk about their abuse. We want the survivors to know that we're here for them, that we want to help them heal," Kroeger said. "We also want their families to realize that this person is hurting and that they need their love and support."

He believes that many older adults who are survivors of abuse have suffered their entire lives with various problems related to their past trauma. One of the foundation's eventual goals, he said, is to fund university-based research in this area and to build a wellness center for survivors in Cincinnati.

"I feel that if we can reach younger victims of sexual abuse, then we can possibly prevent a lifetime of medical and social ills for them," he said. "This, of course, can be measured only in long-term research, but it certainly makes sense."

One immediate way the organization is promoting awareness is through its participation in the seventh annual Bashful Ostrich 5K race. Scheduled for May 28 at Sharon Woods Park, the race benefits the foundation, AVOICE, a division of the Center for Children and Families, affiliated with the Talbert House, which provides therapy for children who have been sexually abused, and "Connections: A Safe Place," the only treatment center in Cincinnati for adult survivors of sexual abuse.

The logo for the event is significant, Kroeger noted, because the ostrich is symbolically known for sticking its head in the sand. The goal is to remove society's taboo attached to sexual abuse allowing the "bashful ostrich" to raise it's head in glory and race into wellness and healing. "Even though the race is very runner/walker friendly, it is also an awareness event for a very worthy cause," Kroeger said. For more information about the race, visit www.bashfulostrich5k.org.

As preparation for the event moves forward, Kroeger finds himself thinking of Brenda often. "I feel she's at peace now for the first time in 43 years," he said. "I feel like she'd approve of all this because she was the kind of person who cared about others. I know God's hand is guiding this. I'm just kind of an instrument, doing what God wants me to do for Brenda and for others who need to heal."