OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

The Y is making a difference helping cancer survivors claim their health and well-being through a free 12-week program

Read how Diedre’s experience with LiveSTRONG changed her life and how the Y is helping her to stay active with virtual classes.

LiveSTRONG® at the YMCA is an evidence-based, 12-week program that helps adult cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being following a cancer diagnosis. The Y offers welcoming community in which cancer survivors work to improve their cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance and flexibility. Through clinical trials, the program has been proven to: improve a survivor’s cardiovascular function, strength, and physical fitness, while also reducing fatigue and improving overall quality of life. Since 2007, the LiveSTRONG Foundation has been the YMCA’s partner in developing and delivering LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA.

Since the program began at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, nearly 600 cancer survivors have gained confidence, strength and have found a strong support system in the LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program.

From the family member of  a recent LIVESTRONG graduate, “The program has given my mom the support and the tools she needed to gain her strength back. Cancer took control over my mom’s mind and body, but thanks to the LiveSTRONG Program at the YMCA I was able to get my mom back and watch her take control of her body again after such an exhausting fight against cancer. I truly don’t think my mom would be as happy and healthy today if it weren’t for the support and program, and I’m forever thankful for that.”

Read how Christine used the LiveSTRONG at the Y program to provide her the opportunity to ease back in.

Cancer survivors face numerous unique physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and financial circumstances throughout their diagnosis, treatment, and remaining years of their lives. Providing patient-centered resources to assist with the myriad side effects of cancer ensures a comprehensive and thorough national response to this epidemic. While there has been significant Congressional focus on advancing treatment and cures, the growing population of survivors must not be forgotten or neglected. Despite the growing number of cancer survivors in the U.S. today, resources remain largely underfunded. According to the American Cancer Society, the estimated total annual cost of cancer is more than $180 billion in health care expenses and lost productivity.

Today, it seems impossible to find someone who has not been touched by cancer. Thankfully, there has been a remarkable reduction in cancer-associated deaths, but the toll taken by cancer and its treatment can be long-lasting. If and when treatment ends, the cancer journey does not. Significant advances in early detection and treatment of many cancers have resulted in a rapidly growing community of those living with, through, and beyond a cancer diagnosis. Currently, there are 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States and that number is expected to increase to 20 million by 2026.

For more information on this program and how to enroll, contact the Y’s Director of Healthy Living, Kim Aide, at kadie@nmymca.org or by calling 603.882.2011.