Six cancer survivors were awarded plaques Monday afternoon to mark their completion of the first LiveSTRONG program at the Jefferson City YMCA.
The program started with nine volunteers, but three had to drop from the program for medical reasons, said Ashley Hale, of the YMCA. The absent trio's efforts were still recognized by the staff, and they were still awarded plaques.
"Throughout the 12 weeks we really focus on building strength, gaining back some endurance, and working on balance and flexibility," Hale said. "We also bring in some of our outside community partners to talk about nutrition, art therapy and different kinds of ways they can get back to their normal life."
The YMCA has scheduled more groups in May and June that people have already signed up for, Hale said. The program is free, so there will be some future fundraising endeavors to keep it going, she added.
"It has helped me out quite a bit," said Frank Livingston, a cancer survivor who participated in the program. "But, more than anything else, it has helped my family know that I am getting better."
Some of the participants have decided to stay on as mentors for the next LiveSTRONG class.
"I think it is pretty awesome. My goal is to give back," said Jeannie Ames, another LiveSTRONG cancer survivor. "I have two more treatments to go, and when I am done with all that my wish is to come back and be able to help people through the program."
Ames received her diagnosis in March 2014, she said. She has been a member of the YMCA for more than 20 years, but she had never had personal training until the LiveSTRONG program. She said the program has helped her build strength and endurance, which has made things easier in her day-to-day activities.
"The treatment takes so much out of you, and to be able to feel good about building that back up is really empowering," Ames said. "I think the days after the treatment are the hardest. ... It takes so much out of you, but you just want to keep doing it because you know if you don't you just get weaker instead of stronger. That was the challenge."
Other YMCAs had a problem with attendance when they started their programs, but the Jefferson City branch did not, Hale said. She estimated it was because the relationship the YMCA has built with the community before they started their program.
"It is something very near and dear to the staff's heart," Hale said. "Everyone has kind of been touched by cancer in one way or another, and so it is something we are happy to provide the community."
During the graduation, the six survivors filled out applications to participate in the next Relay for Life on the YMCA's team. They will walk at the event on June 4, Hale said.