More on the LAF and YMCA

Oct 21, 2008 by Haley Gardiner (LIVESTRONG Foundation Staff)

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A while ago, I wrote about the LAF partnership with the YMCA of the USA. In that blog, I promised an update and I am keeping my promise.

Over the past year, 16 YMCA branches from across the US have participated in the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. This physical activity and wellness program was created as a way to address the specific wants and needs of cancer survivors. The program varies at each YMCA depending on the needs of the cancer survivors within that particular community.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to travel to some of these Ys and see the program firsthand. The cancer survivors I have talked with are so grateful that the YMCA and the LAF are working together to help them. In a short period of time, many are seeing the benefits of the exercise with reduced fatigue and an increased quality of life.

Telling you this over a blog doesn’t give the program justice. It’s amazing to see how far these Ys have come in such a short period of time. The facilitators and program staff have been inspired by the cancer survivors they work with and are thinking of new ways they can address the other needs cancer survivors may have.

Yesterday, the LA Times devoted its entire Health Section to cancer and the LAF’s collaboration with the YMCA is mentioned in this article about the benefits of exercise in cancer patients. Research has shown the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors and it’s exciting that the LAF is able to partner with the YMCA to address this need.

We will continue to spread the program to more Ys across the nation in 2009. I promise to keep you updated on these locations.