Allison’s Hope Helps Start Cancer Program At YMCA
The Alive and Thrive Breast Cancer Program allows for a small group setting aiding breast cancer patients and survivors.
The Allison’s Hope Foundation has touched many lives through the generosity of founder Linda Cassens. The Foundation was created to honor her daughter Allison’s final wish to raise money for cancer research. This mission continues in a new way with an initiative at the Edwardsville YMCA.
The Alive and Thrive Breast Cancer Program allows for a small group setting aiding breast cancer patients and survivors. Through Linda Cassens & the Allison’s Hope Foundation four Edwardsville YMCA personal trainers were sent to a specialist training in California. They are now Cancer Exercise Specialists with a certification from the Caner Exercise Training Institute (CETI). Our Cancer Exercise Specialists will design and implement individual and group exercise programs for cancer patients.
“We are excited for the program and providing a positive impact on their lives,” said Dawn Cunningham, the Health and Wellness director at the YMCA. The initial rollout is an 8 week program designed specifically for either breast cancer patients and or those in recovery from breast cancer. The first 8 weeks of this program is free of charge for those who qualify to participate. This is a wellness initiative that the Edwardsville YMCA wants to be able to provide assistance to those in need.
This new program is launching this fall, but the YMCA is being cautious with the resurgence of Covid, knowing that these are high risk individuals so they want to offer this program safely to those in need. It will be a small group setting with the certified cancer exercise specialists who also work one on one with clients as certified personal trainers.
Initially The YMCA is working with breast cancer patients and survivors, but this is only the beginning as they hope to branch out in order to help those effected by other cancers. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to work closely with local oncologists and physical therapists to help better serve the community.
The program will be held on Monday’s at 2:00pm at the Edwardsville YMCA Meyer Center. If you are interested in this program and would like more information contact Ann McLean at amclean@edwymca.com.