LIVESTRONG at the YMCA: A Survivor's Story

Last summer, the YMCA of the Triangle launched LIVESTRONG at the YMCA at the Cary and Alexander Family YMCAs. Since then, nearly 60 cancer survivors have participated in the 12-week health and fitness program. Specially trained Y staff lead the twice a week sessions. Here’s the amazing part - this program is free to participants. This summer, we’re launching the program at the Kraft, Finley and Lee County YMCAs!

At the Y, we’re committed to supporting our friends, families and neighbors in their fight against this disease. After you read Debbi Braswell’s story, you’ll know why.

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It took a few years and lots of twists and turns before I started volunteering at the Y.

When my family joined the Cary YMCA in 2008, we never connected with anyone. We came. We worked out. We left. My husband, Kevin, and I are both introverts, so it takes a lot to draw us out. (Our 10-year-old son, Alexander, on the other hand, has never met a stranger!)

Fast forward to 2009. That’s when Kevin was laid off.  We thought about giving up our Y membership to cut back, but we decided our health was too important. Four months later, I learned that I had stage III breast cancer.

Debbi (top row, far left) and her LIVESTRONG group.

God has seen me through the struggle of my life, including three surgeries, four months of chemotherapy and radiation. I was severely anemic, but I did my best to walk with a friend. Sometimes I had to sit on a curb to rest.
Eventually I returned to the Y, feeling lonely and lost. I didn’t know how to go about my recovery. How much exercise – and what kind - was too much and how much was too little? Finally one day I asked Cheryl Dichard, who had given me my orientation, if the Y had any help for cancer survivors.

I was shocked to learn that Cheryl was a 16-year cancer survivor! She told me that the Cary Y was preparing to launch a pilot program for LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. It’s a 12-week program designed to help cancer survivors improve not only the functioning of their bodies, but also the quality of their lives.

I was in! I scheduled an upcoming surgery so that I could start LIVESTRONG a few weeks post-op. I even postponed the next surgery so I could finish the program. I loved it! Cheryl and Beth Blount gave us just the right mixture of encouragement, instruction and challenge. We all wore yellow LIVESTRONG T-shirts and called ourselves The Killer Bees!

I went on to recruit a good friend and fellow cancer survivor who joined the group. About that time I was invited to volunteer with the group. You might think I would pounce on the chance to stay involved.

But I considered the time invested. And I wondered – what could an introvert like me contribute to LIVESTRONG? That’s when I had my epiphany. Knowing that God had allowed me to go through the dark valley of cancer, I realized it would be selfish not to share the strength, encouragement and perspective He’s helped me gain through the journey.

So I volunteered, and I will be forever grateful. I still cannot believe the incredible people who joined the third LIVESTRONG group. Some were quiet, some were funny, some had hair, some were growing their hair back. We all jelled! You wouldn’t believe how much fun we had – or how hard we laughed! Sometimes visitors looked a little baffled by us. Was this really a cancer support group?

It’s true that our group struggled through some awful times. Some people like my dear friend Jessi had their cancer recur. She started as a volunteer with me, but she needed to become a participant again. She is a STRONG, STRONG woman! Another amazing woman named Lindy got worse and died. Lindy had a beautiful personality and none of us will forget the day she gathered two people to join her in doing the “Monkees walk.” (If you didn’t grow up in the ‘60s, look it up on YouTube!)

LIVESTRONG has been a wonderful way to feel a connection – to share a common experience. Although the group spent serious time working out, Beth and Amanda Dismukes made sure there was also time for talking and reflecting. This investment of time has resulted in enduring ties. Although this group finished a couple of months ago, the participants still email each other. One person held a fancy tea for the group. Most people attended Lindy’s funeral.

My official volunteer duties weren’t very challenging. I wiped weights and helped stack chairs. The most difficult task, at first, was talking to participants while they did their cardio workouts. I thought,  me, an introvert making small talk? What on earth could I say? But apparently even an introvert can make a workout more tolerable. I guess all a volunteer needs to be is herself.

If you’re interested in participating or volunteering, contact us at LIVESTRONG@ymcatriangle.org.

ONE HUNDRED HOLES OF GOLF BENEFIT ONE GREAT CAUSE

On May 8, Moss Withers checked something off his bucket list. And, he did it for a great cause – the Cary and Kraft Family YMCAs Golf Marathon.

Moss Withers (far left) celebrates his big win!

“It’s a finish attitude out here and not about the score,” Withers remarked. “You get excited to play because it’s such a unique event.”

Since 1992, YMCA members, like Withers, have hit the links to raise money for the YMCA’s We Build People program. Participants spend a fun (and exhausting) day playing 100 holes of golf as part of an alternative fundraiser. In case you wondered, 100 holes of golf equals five times around the course.

This year the weather conditions at Crooked Creek Golf Club in Fuquay-Varina were perfect. Fifty-one golfers teed it up and raised more than $67,500 - surpassing the goal by more than $12,000.

Each year, 100% of the proceeds from the event allow thousands of children, families and adults to participate in life-changing YMCA program regardless of their ability to pay.

Moss Withers, a member of the Kraft Family Y, serves as volunteer chair of the golfing event.  In fact, he’s been part of the marathon since its start.

“I got involved because of my dad, Tony, who has been doing this since the beginning,” Withers said. “When I was a kid I used to come out here with him and drive the cart and spend time on the course. As soon as I got old enough I started playing and raising money on my own and being involved with the event.”

On May 8, Withers shot a 351. That’s four under par for 100 holes. But, the real winner was the YMCA’s We Build People program.

YMCA BUS ROADEO

You may never meet some of the Y’s most important employees – our YMCA bus drivers. Thirty-five staffers log more than 350,000 miles a year driving day campers, overnight campers and tracking out students throughout the region. Their main priority is safety. 

Fourteen of those drivers put their skills to the test in the First YMCA Bus Roadeo on May 5. Organizers, led by Kraft YMCA Transportation Coordinator Cyndy Paciocco, based the Rodeo course on a Wake County School Bus competition. This year’s theme was “We’re in control. That’s how we roll.”

“As a whole, our drivers have a great safety record,” said George Allen, YMCA of the Triangle Vice President of Risk Management. “We wanted to celebrate their skills and give them a chance to spend time together.”

The drivers from the Alexander, Finley, Cary, Kraft, Kerr and Lee County YMCAs were judged on how well they completed basic driving tests such as left turns, right turns, backing up, offset alley, diminishing clearance, and the stop line. That’s where YMCA Transportation Coordinator Johnny Elliott was stationed with measuring tape.

“This is fun, but it also lets us know how they’re doing,” said Johnny.

The goal for a driver was to attain the lowest score possible. The sense of friendly competition was obvious as drivers made their way through the course.

“The ones who’ve driven tractor trailers have the edge,” predicted Bud Schlademan, a Lee County YMCA Driver.

“I’ve been driving a bus for 20 years in Wake County and never got a ticket,” exclaimed another driver. “That’s my test!”

“This is a fun obstacle course. You got to get your slow on,” said Cynthia Benjamin, a driver for the Alexander FamilyYMCA since 2003. “It's nothing like being on the road. Every day is an adventure.”

Mike Moody from the Finley Y won the overall competition and took the grand prize – the golden safety cone.

The drivers can’t wait until the competition next year. But, they’re even more excited about the start of YMCA Summer Day Camp in a few weeks.

“I could drive anywhere else,” said Cynthia Benjamin. “I love the Y kids. The best part is the kids.”

HEALTHY HEAD START: COACHING CONNECTIONS

At the Y, we focus on three areas: youth development, healthy living and social reponsibility.

When it comes to healthy living, most of us some extra help. In 2009, the Kraft Family Y started a program called Coaching Connections. Since its beginning, more than 2,000 people are leading healthier lives thanks to this one-on-one program.

What a difference a few months makes. Last May, Frank McLaughlin went to the hospital with severe pains in his side. Doctors discovered his cholesterol was extremely high. Frank already knew he needed to lose weight.

On his own, he lost 12 pounds. When he moved to North Carolina, Frank joined the Kraft YMCA. He immediately signed up for Coaching Connections.

Frank McLaughlin

"Thanks to Coaching Connections, I am off all medication," says Frank. "The people here are fantastic. I've reached my goal. I just need to keep up the hard work."

Coaching Connections is designed to connect YMCA members with YMCA Wellness Coaches. Through this process, members can meet their wellness goals, make lasting changes and create relationships with YMCA staff members.

Here’s how it works. The member schedules a series of coaching sessions over a six-week period. This allows the member to set realistic goals and apply lifestyle modifications. Believe it or not, this is free to all Kraft members.
And, it works! Just ask Frank.

For more information on Coaching Connections, contact the Kraft Family YMCA Welcome Center at 919-657-9622.

Life After Your Cardiac Event Begins at the YMCA!

In 2006, the YMCA and WakeMed joined forces to make our community a better place. Click here to learn more about our partnership.

At the Y, we're always looking for ways for help you along your wellness path.  

WakeMed Cardiac Rehab at the Y

Our community health partner, WakeMed, now offers Cardiac Rehab at the Kraft Family YMCA in Apex. WakeMed’s Cardiac Rehab program provides patients who have had a recent heart attack, cardiac surgeries or even a heart transplant, with a safe, monitored environment to live a heart-healthy life.

Treatment is medically directed by a cardiologist and provided by a highly qualified professional staff.

“It’s a great alternative for patients and a positive collaboration among the physicians, the Y and WakeMed,” said Dr.Richard Daw, a cardiologist with Wake Heart and Vascular Associates.

Operated by WakeMed Healthworks, the program’s medical director is Dr. Pratik Desai, FACC,a cardiologist with Cary Cardiology.

“Patients in our area now have easy access to the same medically directed cardiac rehabilitation program that is available at WakeMed’s Raleigh Campus,” he said.

The Kraft Family YMCA is located at 8921 Holly Springs Road in Apex.Cardiac Rehab Program sessions will meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 to 8 a.m.

For more information, call the WakeMed Cary Hospital Cardiac Rehab Program at 919-350-1875 or visit www.wakemed.org.