Edison, Metuchen YMCA Helps Cancer Survivors Through Fitness Classes

EDISON, NJ — For many people who have been through cancer treatment, recovery is always an uphill task. While there are many things to worry about – like insurance, diet etc., there’s also the added stress to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

To aid local cancer survivors in their road to recover, the YMCA at Edison and Metuchen is offering a free 12-week program. Through the LIVESTRONG program, survivors can increase their strength, promote physical activity and improve mental health in a supportive peer community.

The program will also be offered at the YMCA in South Amboy and Piscataway.

“We define a survivor as anybody from their point of diagnosis through the rest of their life. So, whether your diagnosis was 10 years ago, 20 years ago, or you're still undergoing treatment, you would be eligible for our program,” said Hannah Thomas, Wellness Director.

“The program is designed for adults and anyone is18-years-old and over we would be eligible.”

Participants meet twice a week at the fitness centers within the facilities. They are shown exercises that are safe while providing them with an opportunity to get comfortable in a fitness setting.

The program is run by trained and certified instructors.

“The program goes a bit more into specifics about certain types of surgeries or treatments the survivors may have undergone like chemotherapy, side effects of radiation etc.,” Thomas said.

“We're really able to take into account what their bodies might be experiencing. And our motto is that we start everything low, and we progress really slowly. So that we don't cause any sort of injury.”

The program began nationally in 2007 and introduced at the Metuchen YMCA in 2009. Since then, the program has been held annually. They had to take a break during the pandemic, when they first held it virtually, followed by a hybrid option the next year. This year they will hold the classes in-person.

“We try to enroll about 10 people into the group and we usually end up with a group of six or seven,” Thomas said.

The best part about the program, according to Thomas, is the participants ability to choose between the four locations.

“We ensure that one of our branches is starting a program in the next month. So folks who couldn’t get in the first time, can always have the option open,” Thomas said. “That also helps reduce our waiting list.”

So far, over 700 survivors have graduated from the program at the YMCA in Edison, Metuchen, South Amboy and Woodbridge.

“I think that's a population that really needs to feel strong again. They have an outlet, somewhere to go, where they’re not being poked with needles. We're making them feel healthy,” Thomas said.

“It also provides them a great platform to meet other folks who are going through a similar journey.”

Residents interested in participating at the Metuchen branch program can contact Brenda Werneiwskei at brenda.werneiwskei@ymcaofmewsa.org, Christine Jaffe can be contacted at christine.jaffe@ymcaofmewsa.org for the Edison branch, Tom Ryan can be contacted at tom.ryan@ymcaofmewsa.org for the South Amboy branch and Hannah Thomas can be contacted at hannah.thomas@ymcaofmewsa.org for the YMCA at the Piscataway Community Center.

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