To help cancer survivors reclaim their total health, the Fond du Lac Family YMCA offers a free, 12-week small group program that engages adult cancer survivors through an approach that focuses on the whole person. SSM Health supports “LIVESTRONG” through its community benefit program. Called “LIVESTRONG” at the YMCA, participants of this evidence-based program work with YMCA staff to build muscle strength and endurance, increase flexibility, improve energy levels, reduce the severity of treatment side effects, restore balance, and improve functional ability to complete everyday tasks. The summer session will run Mondays and Wednesdays from July 8 to September 25 from 8 – 9:30 am. The fall session will run Mondays and Wednesdays from September 23 to December 20 from 5:15 – 6:45 pm. Staff has been specialty trained to work with cancer survivors. They’re exercise experts who can understand unique physical needs. They’re also relationship builders with the empathy and ability to connect with and develop relationships with and among cancer survivors and their families. By focusing on the whole person and not the disease, the LIVESTRONG program helps people move beyond cancer in spirit, mind, and body. “In addition to the diverse cancer care services we offer right here in Fond du Lac, we’re continually looking at other community resources that can enhance the quality of life for the cancer patients we serve,” according to Filip Troicki, MD, an SSM Health Cancer Care board-certified radiation oncologist. “As such, we are proud to partner with the Fond du Lac Family YMCA to bring the Livestrong program right here. “We know through our ongoing conversations with cancer survivors that a top concern is the difficulty of returning to physical activity after treatment,” Dr. Troicki adds. “The Livestrong 12-week physical activity program is designed to get survivors back on their feet.” The YMCA is an inclusive organization of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to strengthening community by upholding our core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and caring. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is an example of how the Y works to strengthen community and improve health in Fond du Lac. To sign up or more information, contact Jacob Berger, LIVESTRONG coordinator at the Fond du Lac Family YMCA, at jacob.berger@fdlymca.org.
