Neosho YMCA Livestrong Program for Cancer Survivors and Patients
By: Eric Crosswhite
Updated: January 18, 2013
NEOSHO, MO.--- Billie Herrell has been cancer free for 7 months now.
"It's kind of hard to get back on track after you've laid around and kind of felt sorry for yourself," says Bellie Herrell, Livestrong Participant.
In an attempt to get her old life back, Herrell decided to join the Neosho YMCA's Livestrong Program.
"It's been a motivator to get you up off the couch, get you with other people that have gone through similar situations," says Herrell.
The workout course is 12 weeks long, free to cancer survivors and those battling cancer.
"They meet with a trained instructor twice a week and just getting them back to their normal physical activity routines," says Sarah Sonis, Livestrong Instructor.
Trainers say they design the workouts based on where the participants are at physically.
"Our motto was just kind of go low and slow. So, we started them out really slow and low and then they just progressed over the 12 weeks and they've all made great successes and accomplishments," says Sonis.
"I'll tell you, they'll get you in the water in the swimming pool," says Herrell.
At the end of the 12 weeks, they host a graduation. It can be an emotional experience for both the instructors and the participants, including Diane Dodson, who is still battling cancer.
"Taught me to dig deeper inside of me and reach higher goals each time," says Diane Dodson, Livestrong Participant.
Dodson says the emotional support she received changed her entire attitude.
"Having somebody to talk to means everything sometimes," says Dodson.
The graduates each received a t-shirt, inscribed with an important message to remember.
"It says 'survivors thrive' and I decided I didn't just want to survive. I wanted to thrive," says Herrell.
The Neosho YMCA will be hosting another Livestrong session in the spring, and if you would like to join, trainers at the facility are currently enrolling participants.
