top of page

MY Y STORY - JENNIFER

October, 2018

MY Y STORY Headers-08_400 width.jpg
livestrong.jpg
MEET JENNIFER
Cancer Survivor Regains Strength

It’s not nothing.” With these words, I told my husband I had breast cancer on November 6, 2014. It had been one of the best years of my life, and at 42 years old, I had never been in better health and physical shape. I was doing well early in my running career, and regularly attended Y Group Exercise Classes. Being a Y member gave me lots of opportunities to focus on

2018 10.23.18.jpg

It’s not nothing.” With these words, I told my husband I had breast cancer on November 6, 2014. It had been one of the best years of my life, and at 42 years old, I had never been in better health and physical shape. I was doing well early in my running career, and regularly attended Y Group Exercise Classes. Being a Y member gave me lots of opportunities to focus on

my health. In these classes, three other women shared support and their breast cancer stories. The Y, which already fostered community in so many ways for me was now offering me my first survivor network. After extensive surgeries, I found my mobility was restricted. Being limited to carrying less than the weight of a gallon

of milk was devastating. I’m thrilled to have our Y now fundraising to offer this

 to our local Middletown community. Reflecting on my own treatment and

healing, the YMCA’s Livestrong resources would have been a tremendous help

to me. And, truth be told, still would be.

 

"Maintaining fitness through treatment is critical to cancer patients’ sense

of wellbeing. Maintaining a healthy weight lowers risk of recurrence. Having

coaching and access to classes and equipment provides much-needed support

to cancer patients and survivors. The discounted/free program eases a financial

burden in a world of deductibles and copays. At my annual check-up, my

full range of motion and flexibility impressed my doctor thanks to being able

to swim at the Y. My hope is that through the Livestrong program, cancer survivors can be supported and encouraged to become stronger and healthier with all the services LIVESTRONG at the YMCA can offer. On October 4th, I began my first day of a 12 week LIVESTRONG session. Our LIVESTRONG Coach is great and I am already feeling a bond with my workout women. He has three of us, all breast cancer survivors and he's pushing us in all the right ways. Now that I am in the program, I see how much I needed the support and feel so grateful for the opportunity." - Jennifer, Livestrong Participant

  • LinkedIN
  • White Facebook Icon
  • White Instagram Icon
  • White Twitter Icon

Our Commitment to Inclusion:

 

The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation, has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility—they guide everything we do.

The Northern Middlesex YMCA does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, including the use of bathrooms and locker rooms. YMCA patrons are permitted to use the bathroom and locker room of their gender identity. If any patron would prefer more privacy, that patron may use our co-ed locker room and/or our individual bathrooms located in the Lobby or Family center. The YMCA is committed to adapting our policies as we continue to evolve and create a more inclusive environment for all. 

bottom of page