How Live Strong empowers cancer patients, survivors

Some of the hardest words you can ever hear from your doctor are: You have cancer.-á You feel alone and scared, not knowing what's in store for you going forward.-á When treatment is over, the path becomes less clear, but there is a place and a program to help you find your way.-á It is at the YMCA and it's called Live Strong.

In the Live Strong program, we talk about strategies to help you stay healthy and reduce stress.-áHealthy eating, relaxation and exercise are the main things we focus on.-á We have taken many of the classes offered at the YMCA, tailored to meet our needs as cancer survivors and patients, as well as other activities, such as Zen Doodling and art therapy.

We've shared our experiences and stories.-á We've laughed and cried together.-á We also support each other outside the YMCA as well, participating in community 5K runs, hiking the local trails and walking in local parks as a group.

At the Sky Valley YMCA in the Live Strong program, I have met some of the most amazing and strongest women I have ever met.

These women are all in various stages of cancer.-á Some, like me, are in remission and others are still fighting their battle.-á We all know first hand that cancer affects not only on you, but your whole family and we want people to know that there is life after cancer.

When a representative from the American Cancer Society came to our class to speak to us last year about the Sky Valley Relay For Life at Monroe High School and explained that the money raised went directly to the American Cancer Society to support cancer patients, fund research to help find new treatments and cures and prevention and education, we knew we had to get involved.-áWe only had the month to prepare, but still managed to raise more than $1,000.

When it came time for Relay, there were so many things to do. We were a new team, but we still held our own in the 80s themed gathering.-áWe built a cardboard Delorean, complete with Flux Capacitor, decorated a bra to the theme of "Men Get Breast Cancer TooGÇ¥ and did a lip sync to "Eye of the Tiger.GÇ¥-á At dusk, we lit luminaries, each with the name of someone who survived, is fighting, or passed away from cancer.-á So many people have faced cancer.-á It was very moving and emotional walking around the track that night with all the names all lit up the night sky.

When it came time for Relay this year, there was no hesitation, we were all in.-á This year our fundraisers will be a-ágarage sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23rd, at 22803 165th Ave. S.E., Monroe,-á with many items for sale, including an oak computer desk, wooden dining chairs and filing cabinets, and a-á karaoke night 8-11 p.m. Thursday,-á May 26, at Collector's Choice, 215 Cyprus Ave., Snohomish.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our events to help us raise funds to fight back against cancer or out on the track at Relay.