Fight against cancer finds new ally at the Y

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s (RVH) cancer program hope to for cancer rehabilitation what they did for heart health.

They’ve officially launched the iCan Cancer Rehabilitation Program – a 12-week focus on restoring and improving physiological and psychological wellness for people dealing with cancer be it post-treatment or during treatment.

“Enrolling in an exercise program following cancer treatment is extremely important for restoring physical function for daily activities. It also supports social and psychological wellbeing. In fact, Cancer Care Ontario guidelines state that exercise is beneficial for people with cancer as it improves their quality of life. It is recommended that participants perform 150 minutes of exercise a week, but any safe amount of physical activity is better than none. We take the ‘meet the people where they are’ approach to exercise.”
– Dr. Jason Yu, medical oncologist at RVH

Participants can expect improvement in cardiovascular function, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and range of motion as well as fatigue management. The program is modelled after the highly successful Healthy Hearts Program, another partnership between RVH and the YMCA, which has helped 260 people since its inception in 2013.

“The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka has once again partnered with RVH to promote wellness and build healthy communities through access to innovative programs based on the needs of the communities we serve. The YMCA’s vision is to inspire people to achieve sustainable wellness. By providing cancer patients at various stages of their treatment with community rehabilitation, we are helping them reach that goal.”
– Rob Armstrong, CEO, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka

The iCan program is available to anyone who qualifies. The cost is included in a regular YMCA membership. Non-members can join at any time at the cost of a monthly YMCA membership, with their partner or caregiver receiving a free membership during the duration of the program.

banner image: Rob Armstrong (left), CEO, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka; Mayor Jeff Lehman, City of Barrie;  Louanna Alexander, iCan participant; Joel Seymour, iCan specialist, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka; Janice Skot, president and CEO, RVH and Mayor Lynn Dollin, Town of Innisfil