YMCA Offering Free Cancer Wellness Program in Allentown

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Recovery rarely happens alone. That idea sits at the heart of the free, twelve-week THRIVE Cancer wellness program now enrolling at the Allentown branch of River Crossing YMCA, located at 425 South 15th St. The THRIVE program is open to the community and built around the simple premise that people do better when they have a team behind them. Participants do not need to be members of the YMCA.

THRIVE: Rebuilding Strength After Cancer

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THRIVE takes a similarly personal approach, but for individuals currently undergoing or who have undergone treatment for cancer. This free twelve-week group program pairs participants with specially trained personal trainers who help rebuild muscle mass and strength, improve flexibility and endurance, and restore the everyday physical capacity that treatment can quietly erode. Just as important, it puts participants in a room with others who understand exactly what recovery feels like, a kind of company that can be hard to find once treatment ends and the rest of the world has moved on.

THRIVE participants receive the same core support: the Y Wellness 24/7 platform, a pre- and post-program InBody scan, live weekly classes with their group, and a complimentary twelve-week family membership followed by eight additional free weeks upon completion. Participants are also welcome to sample group exercise classes in the encouraging, low-pressure environment the program is built around.

"I had a double mastectomy, and a bunch of lymph nodes removed, followed by 30 days of intense radiation. The YMCA Thrive program is one of the best choices I have ever made. To meet all people that are in the same place that I once was, and understand what we're all going through and how much of an event it is just to do what we're doing." - Lynn, graduate of the Y's THRIVE Cancer Wellness program

Twelve weeks is long enough to build a habit and short enough to feel achievable. With a certified professional, a supportive group, and a program built on research that works, showing up the first time may end up being the easiest step of all. Check out this short story from a YMCA THRIVE graduate.

To learn more about THRIVE, contact Jennifer Gaj at jgaj@ymcarivercrossing.org or visit ymcarivercrossing.org/pathways/thrive. Enrollment for both programs closes on Sept. 7, with classes beginning Sept. 14.

River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 100,000 members and participants at its 11 member branches, 12 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 44 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org.

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