YMCA ready for another year of helping people 'LiveStrong'

Jan. 7—Those battling cancer have a resource to help keep them strong in their fight.

The St Joseph YMCA is kicking off a new year of its LiveStrong program on Monday, Jan. 8. It's a free resource for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Three different 12-week-long sessions aim to work different parts of the body to help people stay physically and mentally strong.

"It in-composes mind, body and spirit," said Linda McNeiley. "There's group therapy, we do exercise and there's also just the group cohesiveness component where you get to meet other people who are in the same situation as you."

McNeiley is the coordinator for this year's program, which is part of a national YMCA effort developed in part with Lance Armstrong's LiveStrong campaign. Each session will have up to 12 people all 18 and older. There are two day sessions and also an evening one offered.

"We generally start out the first 20 minutes with some type of presentation," McNeiley said. "With the remaining hour, you can work out on the weight equipment or cardio equipment."

The presentations consist of speakers talking about body image, health, wellness or anything else cancer-related. Personal trainers also help with equipment use.

Through the program, McNeiley said people who never did anything for their well-being have become avid exercisers after their session is done.

"It not only gets them out of the house but it brings them into wellness," she said. "That's our perfect scenario, we get them into exercising on a regular basis."

McNeiley said those who end up working out more get the full benefits of the program.

"Bringing in the other components as well, the mind, body and spirit, we get them making new friends and finding other psychological components we bring with the speakers as well," she said.

To sign up, contact the YMCA at 816-671-9622 or stop in at 3601 N. Village Drive and speak with a staff member.