Living Stronger: Building Community Beyond Cancer Treatment
A Program Born from Community
When Paula and her team at the Camarillo Family YMCA began offering the Livestrong at the YMCA program, they quickly realized something powerful — after 12 weeks together, survivors weren’t ready for it to end.
Participants had formed meaningful bonds and found strength not only in movement but also in each other. To keep that sense of connection alive, Paula and her colleagues launched an alumni group called Living Stronger — a name chosen by participants themselves.
The group’s logo, designed by a cancer survivor, became a symbol of hope, resilience, and belonging.
What started as a single Zoom meeting in 2020 has now grown into a thriving community with hundreds of members. The group meets monthly for activities like art therapy, watercolor, and group workouts, fostering physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Beyond official gatherings, Living Stronger members support one another in deeply personal ways — visiting friends recovering from surgery, offering rides, and checking in with one another just because.
“It’s not just about exercise — it’s about belonging.”
— Paula, Camarillo Family YMCA
Debbie’s Story: “My Now is Wow”
When Debbie first joined Livestrong, she never imagined how much her life would change.
“If you had told me 14 months ago at my first Livestrong class that I’d be doing all this now, I would have never believed it. There was a better chance of me eating dirt,” she joked.
Thanks to consistent exercise and healthier habits, Debbie is now 24 pounds lighter — but the transformation runs much deeper.
“Livestrong helped me walk through the YMCA door. I would have never come on my own. It showed me that I could exercise and how to modify when needed. I felt stronger every week.”
When her 12-week session ended, Debbie felt sad to leave — until she discovered Living Stronger.
“Livestrong wasn’t the end. It was the start of an amazing new beginning.”
Now, Debbie stays active, connected, and supported through the alumni program.
She’s part of a tight-knit community that extends beyond the gym — meeting friends at the park, visiting one another during recovery, and cheering each other on through every challenge.
“My cancer and its side effects were lemons,” Debbie reflected. “But the Camarillo Family YMCA, Livestrong, and Living Stronger helped me make lemonade. The friendships, encouragement, and love I feel at the Y — that’s my very special lemonade.”
Sherie’s Story: From Exhaustion to Empowerment
For Sherie, the path to Living Stronger began in her oncologist’s office, where she noticed a flyer for Livestrong.
After months of chemotherapy, surgeries, radiation, and a double mastectomy, Sherie felt drained — physically and emotionally.
“My stamina, strength, and flexibility were embarrassingly poor,” she shared. “I could barely walk my dog half a block or get off the floor. I hated the thought of exercise.”
Everything changed when she joined the Livestrong program in March 2025.
“It was a judgement-free zone — for workouts and for sharing our feelings, fears, and triumphs. I looked forward to every meeting. I started appreciating movement again.”
By the end of the program, Sherie had regained strength and confidence. She could climb stairs, complete fitness classes, and even enjoy long walks again.
“I made so many new friends. We still meet up monthly and support each other through everything — joys, setbacks, and celebrations. Today, I’m truly Living Stronger and continuing to challenge myself to experience life to the fullest.”
Living Stronger, Together
Healing is not a finish line — it’s a journey that continues long after treatment ends. Programs like Livestrong at the YMCA and Living Stronger were built with that truth in mind. They offer survivors a place to rebuild strength, reconnect with their bodies, and rediscover what’s possible in a supportive, uplifting environment.
Every week across the country, YMCA teams and Livestrong alumni show us what resilience looks like in real time. Participants cheer each other on through workouts, celebrate milestones together, and form friendships that feel more like family. It’s a reminder that while cancer changes lives, community changes the experience of recovery.
Stories like Paula’s leadership, Debbie’s resilience, and Sherie’s transformation illustrate this beautifully. Each reflects a different chapter of perseverance, but all share the same message: healing expands when people walk alongside you. That’s the heart of what it means to keep Living Stronger — together.
Get Involved
If you or someone you care about is navigating life after cancer, you don’t have to take that next step alone. Livestrong at the YMCA offers a welcoming path back into movement, strength, and social connection — guided by trained instructors who understand the unique needs of survivors.
You can find a program near you, refer a friend or family member, or simply explore what support looks like. And if you’re a survivor with a story to share, we’d love to hear from you. Your experiences inspire others and help highlight the impact of YMCA programs across the country.
Want to spotlight a YMCA doing incredible work? Have a story of your own transformation? Reach out to our team using the button below. Together, we can continue uplifting survivor voices and expanding the network of communities Living Stronger every day.
