A Mountaintop Experience: 20-Year Cancer Survivor Climbs Machu Picchu
Patty will be the first to tell you: She never exercised. But her mindset changed when she was recovering from breast cancer.
Knowing regular exercise is proven to improve survivorship outcomes, she enrolled in the Livestrong class at the Sheboygan County YMCA in Wisconsin. Livestrong at the YMCA is a free or low-cost 12-week program designed specifically for cancer survivors to get back on their feet, with classes held across the nation.
The program was transformative, not just providing an exercise regimen designed for survivors but introducing Patty to a compassionate community that knew what each other was going through. She especially thanks her personal trainer Anthony Flores for helping her Livestrong. “I just feel like a whole different person,” she said. “Livestrong has made such a difference in my complete life.”
Wanting to empower others like herself, Patty trained to become an instructor of a Livestrong at the YMCA class of her own, which moved online to Zoom in 2020, their fitness efforts undeterred by the pandemic. She loved the community led by Carrie Green and Denise Nugent so much, she even began working at the Sheboygan YMCA’s front desk. “I am such a promoter of the program,” Patty said. She has even been known to keep Livestrong Wristbands and brochures in the trunk of her car to encourage anyone she meets who has been affected by cancer.
This year, Patty commemorated a milestone: 20 years of survivorship. To celebrate this anniversary, she knew she had to do something big. Decked out in her Livestrong gear, she set out to climb Machu Picchu. At the top, everyone in the group explained what motivated them to get there. Patty said confidently: “I’m doing this because I am healthy because of Livestrong.”
In two decades, Patty has had no cancer recurrence. She credits her health to staying active, going from never exercising to working out five times a week. “I am strong! I put my whole heart and soul into it,” she said. “There are more people living from cancer compared to years ago.”
Whether your goal is climbing mountains or simply enjoying everyday moments, Livestrong wants to help you regain your strength and vitality after cancer. We aim to fill gaps where the YMCA program is not offered with our new CancerFit program, which teaches personal trainers to administer whole-body exercises designed to enhance cancer survivors’ cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. Join survivors like Patty in reclaiming your health – it could be life-changing.
