The YMCA of Central Massachusetts was selected in a national selection competition to offer LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, a physical activity and well-being initiative that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. The LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program is available to cancer survivors and their families in the Central Massachusetts community, and is offered free of cost and provide free Family Memberships for the participants for the duration of the program.
“Research shows exercise is the simplest way for cancer survivors to reduce fatigue, improve their mood and bounce back from the debilitating effects of cancer treatment more quickly,” said Andy Miller, LIVESTRONG® Executive Vice President. “But there weren’t enough programs to help people affected by cancer reach their health and well-being goals, so LIVESTRONG® and the Y joined forces to create LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA. The Y is the perfect collaborator because of its national reach, commitment to meeting the needs of all community members and history of program innovation in support of health and wellness.” As part of LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, the Y engages cancer survivors through an approach that focuses on the whole person. Participants work with trained Y staff to build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve functional ability.
In addition to physical benefits, the program is also focused on the emotional well-being of survivors and their families by providing a supportive community environment where people affected by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond. The The YMCA of Central Massachusetts was one of 16 Y’s to receive a grant to implement the program as a result of the 2011 LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project, an online community voting campaign. “It is truly an honor to offer the LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program at our YMCA. Working with the cancer survivors has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my 20 plus year professional career.” says Trevor Williams, the (former) Health Innovation Director for the YMCA of Central Massachusetts. LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is part of a multi-year collaboration between YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the Y, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the organization created in 1997 by the cancer survivor and champion cyclist to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action. The foundation is now known publicly by its powerful brand — LIVESTRONG® — and is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people around the world living with cancer today.
LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, launched in 2008, is designed to improve the health and day-to-day quality of life for the country’s growing population of cancer survivors and their families. By the end of 2011, LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is offered at 86 Y’s around the country. To date, approximately 6,000 cancer survivors have participated in the program nationwide. “We are excited to collaborate with LIVESTRONG® to offer those who have been diagnosed with cancer the support they need to build both emotional and physical strength,” said Trevor Williams, (former) Project Manager for the LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program. “With a mission centered on balance, the Y strives to be a leading voice on health and well-being for our community by providing resources and guidance so that all people, no matter what their circumstance, can achieve greater health and well-being in spirit, mind and body.”
