Countryside YMCA to Offer LIVESTRONG® AT THE YMCA A physical activity and well-being initiative for cancer survivors

Countryside YMCA to Offer LIVESTRONG® AT THE YMCA

A physical activity and well-being initiative for cancer survivors

Lebanon, OH – This June, Countryside YMCA will again offer LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a research-based physical activity and well-being initiative that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. Classes will be held at the Y’s Lebanon and Otterbein locations.   

The LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program is available to any cancer survivors in the Warren County community. According to participant Gary Kuntz, “The LIVESTRONG class has covered all the basics and resources for continued growth in health and fitness.  I would recommend this program to other cancer survivors to get fitness back on track as well as the friendships, sharing and rapport that is here." 

“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 Greg Lee, President and CEO of the LIVESTRONG® Foundation. “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. Participant Karen Kalinyak “liked the variety of activities and classes we participated in during LIVESTRONG. It was very important to me that we learned exercises we could do at home. My ability to hike, which I love, has improved as my strength, endurance and balance have increased." 

In addition to physical benefits, the program also focuses on the emotional well-being of survivors by providing a supportive community environment where people affected by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond. Participant Laurie Mayak said, "I was ready for a reboot after spending the first few months of Covid doing nothing. I needed to get my strength back. It has been inspiring to be around people going through what you are--some dealing with more than you.  I especially appreciated the encouragement and seeing improvement in my physical benchmarks."

“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 Zach McCollum, Countryside YMCA Executive Program Director. “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.” 

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 LIVESTRONG Foundation, the organization created to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action.  The foundation is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 32 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.  To date, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is offered at over 375 Ys around the country, and more than 25,000 cancer survivors have participated in the program nationwide.

For more information contact Gale Kernitz at gale.kernitz@ymcastaff.org or 513.932.1424 ext. 185.