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Wing gives $10K to YMCA for LIVESTRONG initiative |
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February 13, 2012
SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to improve the health and quality of life for more cancer survivors in the greater Springfield region, the Wing Health Foundation recently awarded the YMCA of Greater Springfield $10,000 for continued support of the Y's LIVESTRONG initiative.
A health and fitness program for cancer survivors, the LIVESTRONG program started as a pilot project launched in 2009. In the past two years, it has been redesigned and modeled on a national program created by the Y-USA in collaboration with the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
As one of the original funders of the pilot project in 2009, the Wing Health Foundation also provided $10,000 in support of the program at its inception. Linda Mitchell, Chair of the Wing Health Foundation said that the ongoing support for LIVESTRONG at the YMCA recognizes the importance of the program to the foundation's service area, which includes the following communities: Belchertown, Brimfield, Brookfield, Hampden, Holland, Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, Wales, Ware, Warren West Brookfield and Wilbraham.
Entering its third year, the Y's LIVESTRONG program addresses the well-documented lifestyle needs of cancer survivors, which according to the Massachusetts Department of Health, number around 3,000 in the Pioneer Valley.
The National Cancer Institute reports that the common side effects of cancer treatment include fatigue, loss of strength, difficulty sleeping, and sexual dysfunction. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA was designed with these side effects in mind and offers recommendations for healthy lifestyle changes.
The goal of the program is to help cancer survivors return to normalcy and eventually a healthy life style. To achieve this goal, the YMCA of Greater Springfield operates the LIVESTRONG program through two 12-week sessions for adult cancer survivors. The program takes place at the Scantic Valley YMCA Family Center. It is free of charge and open to all cancer survivors.
"We are so grateful for the generosity of organizations like Wing Health Foundation, who recognize and appreciate the need for outreach initiatives, like LIVESTRONG," Kirk Smith, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, said. "With their help, we can continue to provide resources and opportunities to meet the growing needs of our community."
Wing Health Foundation Inc., provides grant money to nonprofit organizations for capital investment and programmatic initiatives that are designed to further health, health-related education and prevention programs. This foundation was incorporated in 1998 when Wing Memorial Hospital became part of University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care system. The foundation's purpose is to improve the health in surrounding communities.
Now celebrating its 160th anniversary, the YMCA of Greater Springfield is the second oldest YMCA in America. Serving 14 cities and towns in Western Massachusetts, the Y of Greater Springfield is dedicated to programs for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
For more information on the Y, visit www.springfieldy.org or call 739-6951 ext. 121.
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