The Y is Helping Cancer Survivors Live Well
The YMCA of the Northwoods is offering the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program to help adult cancer survivors who have become de-conditioned from recent cancer treatments rebuild strength and stamina.
The Y and LIVESTRONG® joined together to create LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, a physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors achieve their holistic health goals. The research-based program offers people affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person.
“Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to achieve their goals” Marilyn Duschl, program coordinator, said. “Individual goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem will be the focus of this 12 week program.
“The YMCA of the Northwoods, in addition to the physical benefits of the program, provides a supportive environment where people impacted by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond. By focusing on the whole person and not the disease, LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA helps people move beyond cancer in spirit, mind and body. One of the recent graduates of the program has this to say about her experience in the program: “It gave me not only the opportunity to make me feel that I accomplished something physically but also to accomplish something emotionally. Just being surrounded by others who know how you feel is rewarding, not to mention that everybody is cheering you up to get to your goals as we work as a group.”
The 12-week program is free and a new session will begin in Fall 2013. The YMCA of the Northwoods is working closely with Ministry Saint Mary’s Hospital James Beck Cancer Center, Ministry Rehabilitation, and The American Cancer Society to bring this program to the community.
Criteria for participation are: strong personal desire; personal commitment to attend regularly; physician’s release; complete screening forms and answer health questionnaire. This program is recommended for individuals who have finished their cancer treatment recently, unless it is ongoing, or are survivors looking to regain health and improve quality of life.
To learn more about the LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, call Duschl, LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA coordinator at 715-362-9622 x118 or email [email protected], or visit www.ymcaofthenorthwoods.org.
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