Physical activity can be very important while recovering from chronic illness or battling a disease like cancer. To help Greenvillians who may be in this situation, the YMCA of Greenville is launching LIVESTRONG at the YMCA next month, a free 12-week program that includes two 90-minute sessions per week.

"Because of our donors and partners, like Prisma Health, we are able to offer this program free of charge to communities across Greenville county," says Brian Vest, District Executive Director for the YMCA of Greenville. "A portion of the fundingfrom the annual Run4Life eventheld at the Caine Halter Family YMCA will go toward supporting access to LIVESTRONG at the YMCA for survivors."

Workouts are developed around cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance, and flexibility exercises, with YMCA-certified instructors accompanying survivors during each step of the process. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA participants will also have fitness and quality of life assessments before and after participation, so their progress can be measured — and celebrated. 💪

Participants will work out twice a week for 90 minutes. | Photo provided by YMCA of Greenville

This program is offered at ~800 YMCA locations across the country and has helped 76,000+ people find a sense of community as they rebuild their strength. Participants in the program experience improved fitness and quality of life, as well as significant decreases in cancer-related fatigue, according to research from the Yale Cancer Center and Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Institute.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA will be available at five of the Y’s Greenville locations including Caine Halter Family YMCA, Prisma Health Family YMCA, Eastside Family YMCA, Verdae YMCA, and George I. Theisen Family YMCA. To participate, Greenvillians must have a doctor's release and be 18 years or older.

Want to help support the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program? Registration for the Run4Life 5K, happening Sat., Nov. 5, is still open. 👟*