MANSFIELD – A cancer survivor is defined as an individual who has been diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life. At the Mansfield Area Y, they’re defined by much more.
Nearly 20 cancer survivors and their families gathered at the Mansfield Area Y on Tuesday evening to celebrate life, health and new friendships. The ceremony marked the end of a 12-week program designed to support the physical and emotional needs of adult cancer survivors.
“We focus on retraining health and wellbeing after a bout of cancer,” said James Twedt, vice president of operations at the Mansfield Area Y. “No matter where you are in your cancer walk, you can benefit from this program.”
More than 100 people have graduated from the Y’s LIVESTRONG program since it first began in 2014. Since then, the Y has led 12-week sessions in the spring and fall, and have doubled up with both morning and evening sessions the past year and a half.
The program first began without any monetary assistance, but since then funders such as Summit Financial, the Hire Foundation, the S.N. and Ada Ford Fund and the Richland County Foundation have made it where survivors and their families can join the Mansfield Y for free as they go through the program.
This funding also pays the salaries of the LIVESTRONG instructors, including Lori Gailey, who has been an instructor since the beginning.
“Several of you had obstacles and setbacks, but you persevered and made it to the end,” Gailey said. “Thank you for being such an inspiration. We put a lot into this program, but we get so much more out of it.”
According to Twedt, the LIVESTRONG cancer survivorship program has served survivors as young as 11 and as old as 80. The program has also seen a wide array of cancers – including a rare stage 4 bile duct cancer inside Christy Landon.
Landon was only given three to six months to live when she was first diagnosed in 2015. Now, after aggressive treatments including surgery and chemotherapy, she is officially cancer-free and a graduate of the Mansfield Area Y’s LIVESTRONG program.
“This is a great resource of support, and the only general cancer support program in this area that I’m aware of,” Landon said. “I feel strong, and I’m gaining my confidence back.”
The program has also been of great benefit to survivor Sarah Davis, who currently serves as Richland County’s recorder. Davis is a 14-year survivor of colorectal cancer, and lauded the LIVESTRONG program’s psychological benefits.
“Even though, I’m cancer-free, what is cancer-free? There is still a lingering what-if,” Davis said. “When you come home after the final treatment, that’s when you really need to dig in and survive.”
Survivors leaning on other survivors is a fundamental part of the LIVESTRONG program, Twedt said.
“It’s a network of support, of people who have been through something that you’ve been through,” he said. “They know what you’re going through physically and emotionally. We always say it’s not a support group, but it leads to a support group because they make friends for life.
“I never knew this is what it would turn into,” Twedt continued. “But it vibes with the mission of the YMCA – helping those who need help.”
