Community Corner

Vote for YMCA to Win Funds for Cancer Support Programs

The Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA has been selected as a candidate for the LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project, which was created to bring proven cancer support programs to communities across the United States.

The Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA has been selected as a candidate for the LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project, which was created to bring proven cancer support programs to communities across the United States.

Finalists will be determined through an online voting campaign that begins on May 11 at 10:00 a.m. CST.  Applicants with the top votes per region will receive a financial award of support to replicate and implement a sustainable program dedicated to supporting families fighting cancer. 

The 2011 Community Impact Project will offer more than $700,000 in implementation awards to 90 finalists.  This represents the largest number of financial awards LIVESTRONG has granted in a single year in the history of the foundation.  LIVESTRONG is committed to supporting community organizations in their efforts to help cancer survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer and has invested nearly $70 million in community-centered organizations. 

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Finalists will also receive tools and resources from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the organization established in 1997 by the cancer survivor and champion cyclist to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action against the world’s leading cause of death.  The foundation is now known publicly by its powerful brand – LIVESTRONG – and is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people around the world living with cancer today.

 Hundreds of qualified hospitals, cancer centers, universities and non-profits from across the United States applied to be part of four different programs including : Camp Kesem,  Cancer TransitionsLIVESTRONG® at the YMCA and  LIVESTRONG Promotores Training Program

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 The funding available for the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA is through the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA initiative which was developed by LIVESTRONG and the Y.   LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a physical activity and well-being program that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals.  By the end of 2011, this innovative program will expand to more than 75 U.S. cities.  

The Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA is among hundreds of organizations still in contention for the award. If selected, The Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA will use the awarded funds to develop a FREE 12 week physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors achieve their holistic health goals.

Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to safely achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem. By focusing on the whole person and not the disease, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA helps people move beyond cancer in spirit, mind and body.

 “We are thrilled and honored to be selected as a candidate for the Community Impact Project,” said John Myers, Executive Director.  “We share LIVESTRONG’s passion for inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer and look forward to working together to make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors and their families.”

Please help us win the battle by voting for your Y today….and every day up through  5:00 p.m. May 31st!  Yes, you can vote every day! We are in competition with 7 other cohorts around the country….we need to win this vote to offer this FREE LIVESTRONG program at our YMCA!  Please go to the following site www.southington-cheshireymca.org/livestrong or get an easy link off our website for Facebook.

Our cohort is comprised of 8 YMCAs from Connecticut and Massachusetts. Collectively, we are a diverse group of Ys who work with countless numbers of cancer survivors and their families each and every day. We all have strong and productive partnerships with hospitals and other medical institutions which would assist us in advancing LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. We have an incredible opportunity to impact thousands of people throughout heavily populated Connecticut and Massachusetts. Four out of seven YMCA associations in our regional group are leaders in convening community groups around health issues which have dramatically influenced their respective communities. This work has translated to strong coalitions of various community sectors both supportive and involved in our efforts to improve the overall health of our communities. And finally, our regional group is eager and passionate about learning new ways of supporting cancer survivors and their families through innovative programs that build on our community work to date.


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