The Inspiring Story of the LiveStrong Progam at the Southington YMCA - Helping Cancer Survivors to Thrive!

We are truly fortunate in Southington that even in what may seem to be our darkest hour, the brilliant light of caring people are there for us.  

John Myers, Executive Director of the Southington YMCA, Executive Director, spoke with genuine pride about the LiveStrong at the Y program, now in its sixth year, stating: “We are tremendously proud to be part of the ‘LiveStrong at the Y’ program. It has had an incredible impact on so many of our community members who have had to live through cancer. The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain's initial financial support, (in 2012), validated the need to set the foundation for future participants. One word to equate Livestrong at the Y…HOPE!” 

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I heard about this program last fall from John DiSantis who told me about an extraordinary experience he had at the YMCA in a program for cancer survivors. “The therapists were fantastic, never challenging you beyond what you could do, yet always encouraging you to do what can." DiSantis said. "And, the participants all support each other. I was in a wheelchair and wondered what I could do. But (therapist) Jolene (Miceli), helped me handle such concerns with gentle encouragement.”

Two days before the New Year, I had a call from Gloria Gelpke, a retired R.N., cancer survivor herself. Gloria said: “There’s a fantastic program at the Y that everybody needs to know.” Gloria had been treated for breast cancer in 1994. With recurrences in 2006 and 2014. She has had radiation, surgery, and chemo. In 2014, Gloria discovered the Y program and signed up for it. Gelpke said:  “LiveStrong heals psychologically. It renews your strength and endurance. There are exercises with machines, meaningful educational guidance, group sharing, Yoga, mini-Zumba, meditation and talks on related topics. The therapists are great.” Now 88, the 3-time cancer survivor remains positive: “I’ve been blessed with 22 more years of life since 1994.”

Initially introduced locally in Feb. 2012, (daytime in Cheshire, evening sessions in Southington), LiveStrong at the Y is a product of the LiveStrong Foundation which partners with YMCA’s to provide the service in communities so that they may help millions around the world to renew life after cancer.

Now in its sixth year, the Southington Y offers a twelve-week program, 24 sessions twice a week, Mondays and Wednesday, from 7 to 8:30 pm.  The program is FREE with no Y membership requirements. People with all types of cancer, in therapy and out of therapy, are welcome whether it’s breast cancer, a colostomy, missing limb, wheel chair bound, pregnant, etc. 

Linda Prus, CPT and Coordinator
of the LiveStrong Program at
work in the gymnasium with a Y member

“At first, some clients think it is somehow not for them, but they quickly learn otherwise.” said, LiveStrong Y team coordinator, Linda Prus.  With two other certified physical trainers, Jolene Miceli and LeeAnn Kroll, the team is trained and qualified in the LiveStrong program. “After an initial orientation, we work with the clients in groups according to their challenges.”, Prus said.

“We encourage interaction between clients.”, Miceli said. “Each person is given an opportunity to share their story in as much detail as they are comfortable. So they get to know each other quite quickly. As the camaraderie grows, they gain strength from each other’s stories and are uplifted by their new connections and resulting relationships. Kroll spoke of the “emotional, physical and comforting relationship building as one of the primary sources of empowerment each of the clients themselves can see and feel. Each part of the program is important. It all works to raise a more positive outlook on their situations. Just seeing the results is rewarding to us.”

I was invited to a live session at the YMCA Women’s Center. I arrived just as the physical exercise workout portion of the session had started. Clients worked out at their own pace at their elliptical cycles, treadmills and other strength and endurance training equipment. Therapists moved around the room interacting with the clients, coaching and chatting with them. The class had been alerted to and welcomed my visit so it was easy to talk to them and move around among them.

LeAnn Kroll, CPT interacting with Katie

There I met Katie, 58, who was working energetically on her elliptical cycle, one of my favorite fitness activities. Katie began to experience unusual symptoms in January 2016. First, there was a persistent allergic reaction, apparently from a particular perfume.  However, that led to discovery gall bladder symptoms. On April 15^th, after seeing a number of doctors, Katie's diagnosis was  Stage 2 Small Cell Carcinoma. "Fortunately, It was operable", Katie said, "and I had surgery in May with part of one lung removed. With four treatments every 2 weeks from July to September, I began here at LiveStrong at the Y in January 2017. I have socialized and already learned so much from the program and other patients.”

John Case talks it over with Jolene Miceli, CPT

Josh Case, 38, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in August 2015. He had surgery and chemo but had to go back for additional surgery in July 2016. Without losing a pace on his treadmill, Case said: “Talking to others is all positive. The whole experience has influenced me in taking up the study of physical therapy with a goal of becoming a professional and helping others." Miceli told me that Josh was a wonderful example of the positive spirit of those enrolled in LiveStrong. 

Jim Williamson, President of| the
Greater Communnity Foundation
of New Britain.

I was surprised to see that Jim Williamson, president of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, was also in the class.  Diagnosed with cancer last summer, Williamson completed chemo and radiation, turning to LiveStrong at the Y in January.  “I’m not a gym-rat." Jim states, "But this is the go-to place for me to work out with personal trainers, dealing with others like me in a great support group, each with a different story.  Cardiovascular workouts improve balance, strength and endurance of the participants. The activity gives you purpose and a place to be. I have great admiration for my fellow survivors.” Grateful to the Y, Jim noted the irony in his benefitting from the Livestrong program five years after the Greater Community Foundation of N.B., of which he is president,  initially financed the program at the YMCA. 

Readers' comments are welcome below or at dick617@gmail.com.  See other Appleseed posts.  

Based on the Appleseed column (p.20) in the March 17, 2017 edition of the Southington Citizen. Freelance writer, Dick Fortunato, has been a volunteer in church and community service for more than twenty years since his retirement, offering his professional skills and talents in organization, marketing and public relations to the non-profit sector of his adopted community.