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Diving Back In: Cancer Rehab Is Changing Lives
Since the beginning of our Cancer Rehab programme, it’s been incredible to witness the power of rehabilitation and dedicated support, and sometimes, the most impactful stories come directly from those whose lives have been touched. We recently received a heartfelt message from one of our cancer rehab members that perfectly illustrates the positive outcomes our gym team, and specifically Sarah, can achieve:
“I would like to thank Sarah & her team at the YMCA for their help in getting me back to a hobby I never thought I’d be able to do again. At the age of 61, having undergone surgery on my knee and hand, and then receiving a cancer diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, morale was low and walking was a struggle. I was convinced my scuba diving days were over! Sarah encouraged me to think otherwise, researching and arranging a rehabilitation programme to specifically target the goal of building up my strength to improve walking and ultimately target the goal of getting back to diving.
Knowing someone cared enough to make those efforts makes a difference. My strength has indeed grown and the efforts have paid off. I’ve just come back from a week of scuba diving in the Red Sea with a great group of dive friends, managing 14 dives over the week. Getting back to a hobby I love, with people I love, has been a massive shot in the arm for my confidence and well-being. That’s down to the efforts of Sarah and her team who encouraged me to set and achieve a goal I had previously given up on. I can’t praise them enough. Thank you.
Time to set a new goal and see if we can get there.”
This is a brilliant reminder of why we do what we do. Our team goes beyond providing fitness instruction, they work hard to create an environment of personalised support and encouragement. They empower individuals to set and achieve goals they once thought were out of reach, helping them rediscover passions and improve their quality of life.
Sarah, Deputy Gym Manager and Cancer Rehab Instructor said:
“I couldn’t be prouder of Ken and the team. Ken was told by the hospital team he wouldn’t be able to dive again due to his serious injuries and cancer diagnosis, but with a little bit of research and guidance, he overcame the impossible. This is really just one story of many. I am so proud of the gym team…Ken’s picture says it all.”
At YMCA Gym, we’re dedicated to improving the quality of life of those experiencing cancer, and showing that recovery is an active process with the help of specialist instructors. If you or someone you know could benefit from the programme, please visit our website to find out more, or alternatively, contact us at ymcagym@ymcanorthtyneside.org. You might be surprised at what you can achieve!
Run Panda, Run!
The Great North Run is an amazing fun-packed event that takes the North East by storm every year! People travel nationally and internationally to take part in the 13.1 mile race, work up a sweat and raise money for their chosen charities. This year, six of our YMCA...
Don’t come to the YMCA Gym alone…
We are so excited that the work has begun for our gym refurbishment due for completion by January 2016 we want the world to know about it! So here's an offer that we hope will make you want to share the YMCA love with your friends and relatives, and generally anyone...
Hope and Hard hats for the New Year
Walking in through Reception, the once busy hub at the centre of our YMCA is currently boarded up, looking bleak and inundated with workman in hard hats and high Vis jackets. However, it’s for a very exciting reason… “It’s about enabling a community that helps people...
YMCA Gym Aerobathon 2015
Fancy doing four hours of exercise in one afternoon? Nope, me either! However, nearly 30 very brave men, women and children took up the challenge and took part in YMCA Gym’s 9th Annual Aerobathon to raise money for charity! The day was a huge success and with combined...
YMCA Gym Community Christmas Feast
Christmas can be a very lonely time for many people, especially the elderly who may have lost partners or are unable to travel to visit their family. YMCA Gym wanted to change this and so every year our YMCA Gym team swap their usual gym attire for their best...
Turn a Night out into a Workout!
Our Clubbercise class is an easy to follow dance workout using flashing glow sticks set to a soundtrack of uplifting club anthems. Bring your dad dancing moves and your Miley Cyrus twerks and join us on the YMCA Gym Dance Floor every Thursday night! Clubbercise class...