The LiveSTRONG Program at the YMCA and Multiple Myeloma Patients

Ms. Barbara Jarrell will speak at the quarterly meeting of the Chesapeake Multiple Myeloma Network (CMMN) on Saturday, May 12th, at 4:00 PM in the Large Conference Room of the Eastern Shore Conservation Center (114 S. Washington St., Easton). Ms. Jarrell’s talk, The LiveSTRONG Program at the YMCA and Multiple Myeloma Patients is free and open to the public. Ms. Jarrell is a LifeStyle Coach at the YMCA of the Chesapeake in Easton and directs its LiveSTRONG Program. LiveStrong is a free physical activity program designed to get survivors back on their feet. Research indicates that a major concern among cancer survivors is the difficulty of returning to physical activity after treatment. In response, LiveSTRONG, a national not-for-profit organization providing support services for cancer survivors (https://www.livestrong.org), partnered with the YMCA in 2007 to create LiveSTRONG at the YMCA, a multiweek physical activity program designed to address this concern. At the Easton Y, survivors participate in free exercise regimens customized to their individual needs and developed by certified fitness instructors. The instructors are trained in cancer survivorship, post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive cancer care. Issues such as diet and nutrition also are addressed in the program. Ms. Jarrell will describe both how the LiveSTRONG program operates in Easton and its likely benefits for individuals being treated for chronic cancers like myeloma.

The Chesapeake Multiple Myeloma Network is an informal Eastern Shore group of individuals and families affected by multiple myeloma, a bone marrow and blood cancer.  Its mission is “to provide ongoing resources of education, support, shared experiences, and hope for persons with multiple myeloma, their families, and friends.” CMMN partners with the University of Maryland’s Shore Regional Health Cancer Center’s Outpatient Oncology Support Program and it is an affiliate of the International Myeloma Foundation.

CMMN’s meetings are informal and last about an hour and a half. In addition to the speaker’s presentation, there is time for sharing and catching-up among members. Parking is available in the Conservation Center’s Washington St. lot and on Washington St. itself. The Center is handicapped accessible. For further information about CMMN, contact Bob Kelly at 410-226-5345 or [email protected] or visit https://chesapeake.support.myeloma.org/