2017 Annual Report

HEALTHY LIVING
LIVESTRONG
AT THE YMCA
Cathy Owens was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2015;
and in October of that same year, her husband, Jim, was
diagnosed with tongue cancer. After both completed treatment,
Cathy saw a flier for the YMCA’s LIVESTRONG program. The
program was established in partnership with the LIVESTRONG
Foundation to assist those who are living with, through or
beyond cancer to strengthen their spirit, mind and body.
Those enrolling in the program need to have permission to
do so from their doctor. When Cathy asked her doctor, her
doctor immediately reached for her pen to sign off on it,
already very much aware of the program’s health benefits.
The 12-week program includes cardiovascular conditioning,
strength training, balance and flexibility exercises, as well
as support sessions. Research from the Yale Cancer Center
and Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Institutes confirmed that
LIVESTRONG at that YMCA participants experience improved
fitness and quality of life as well as significant decreases in
cancer-related fatigue.
“What was good for me was learning all of the options that
we have here at the Y,” Cathy explained. “I found out that
there are a lot of things that I can do that are fun, and it’s
not intense. It’s a gentle way of learning lots of options to
stay healthy and get healthy again.”
For Jim and Cathy, that meant trying out TRX, weight
lifting, yoga, Zumba and Pilates in a group setting. That
varied exercise, coupled with working out with fellow cancer
survivors, gave them something to look forward to every week.
“The thing I appreciated the most was sharing with other
people who had cancer, particularly the women who have
had breast cancer,” Cathy said.
“The camaraderie and intimacy of the group was very
compelling and helpful,” shares Jim. The staff is very
dedicated to wanting people to get better. They cared for
us personally and created a very strong community that
empowered us all to build our strength and well-being
physically, emotionally and spiritually.”
“
The thing I appreciated the most
was sharing with other people who
had cancer, particularly the women
who have had breast cancer.
The LIVESTRONG program is offered at both the West
Chester Area YMCA and Kennett Area YMCA.
”
www.ymcagbw.org
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