Rotary Club of Clearwater Meets with YMCA DirectorRecently the Rotary Club of Clearwater held a meeting at the Belleair Country Club. During this meeting Mike Roberts, Executive Director Bardmoor Branch YMCA, spoke about the partnership with Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG foundation. The LIVESTRONG foundation and the YMCA offer innovative formalized exercise programs for those undergoing cancer treatment and cancer survivors. Evidence based research shows increased survival rates and quality of life when exercise programs are implemented in this way. The LIVESTRONG/YMCA program is designed to help people develop good exercise habits and address the physical and psychological factors affecting those afflicted by cancer. Mike shared many stories of success with the program. YMCA of the Suncoast was one of 10 pilot programs for this partnership. With their great success, the program is now growing. YMCA of the Suncoast is now aiding as a mentor group for 30-40 other YMCAs that are implementing the LIVESTRONG/YMCA program. Approximately 150 people in Clearwater have had their lives changed by the LIVESTRONG/YMCA program. The YMCA is currently seeking oncologists to work with for referrals.
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