LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA
BECAUSE …
SURVIVING CANCER IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP TO WELL-BEING
As a cancer survivor, you know the tremendous toll the disease and its treatment can take on your spirit, mind, and body. You want to begin to heal and reclaim your health. But where do you start? LIVESTRONG at the YMCA can help.
In 2008, the YMCA partnered with the LIVESTRONG Foundation to help cancer survivors begin the journey toward recovery with the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program.
As part of the Y’s commitment to strengthening the community through healthy living, the program offers adults affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person.
TAKING IT AT YOUR OWN PACE
No one experiences cancer in the same way. Participants come to the program with different physical challenges and lifestyle goals. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA provides you with individualized attention and an approach to recovery that targets the areas you need to rebuild. There’s no competition here – physical activities are tailored to match only what you’re able to accomplish.
How Does the Program Work?
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA focuses on you – the whole person – not the disease. The free, 12-week program meets twice a week for 90 minutes. Traditional exercise methods ease you back into fitness and help you maintain a healthy weight. You’ll focus on:
- Building muscle mass and strength
- Increasing flexibility and endurance
- Improving confidence and self-esteem
You’ll also learn about wellness, stress-reduction techniques, and how to continue healthy habits after the program has ended.
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA encourages a warm spirit of community – a safe, comfortable place to build companionship with others affected by cancer, and share stories and inspiration.
National Resources
LIVESTRONG.ORG – We believe that unity is strength, knowledge is power, and attitude is everything. Our programs, awareness events, and advocacy work are the heart of what we do and our leaders and donors provide both the vision and the support for us to carry out our mission.
Camp Kesum – Camp Kesem recognizes and embraces the often-overlooked population of children affected by a parent’s cancer.
Imerman Angels – Through our unique matching process, Imerman Angels partners anyone seeking cancer support with someone just like you – a “Mentor Angel”. A Mentor Angel is a cancer survivor or survivor’s caregiver who is the same age, same gender, and most importantly who has beaten the same type of cancer; a walking, talking, living proof, and inspiration that cancer can be beaten. Our service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world.
