"Survive and Thrive"
Cancer Wellness Program
The Cancer Wellness program is a free oncology recovery program for newly diagnosed cancer patients. Patients who have received their diagnosis within the last year or currently receiving primary therapy are eligible for the program. Patients must have a referral from their primary or radiation oncologist. Grant funding and support allows patients to participate at no cost and remain in the program for up to one year from the initial consultation and assessment.
The multidisciplinary program combines exercise, education, mind/body activities and support to assist people with cancer in returning to their fullest physical and emotional potentials. The holistic approach incorporates all aspects of a person’s health and well-being. The goal of the program is to improve quality of life by addressing fatigue, depression, nausea, pain, stress, and other side effects of cancer treatment.
Inside The Program
Participants meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-11 a.m. Each two-hour session includes individualized exercise followed by educational topics such as coping skills, stress management, nutrition, and side effects of medications, or mind/body programming, such as meditation, yoga, journaling, guided imagery, and music therapy. The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) I Can Cope educational series is part of the educational component. According to the ACS, the series can help dispel cancer myths by presenting straightforward information and answers to your cancer-related questions, including:
• Diagnosis and treatment
• Side effects of treatment
• Self-esteem and intimacy
• Communicating concerns and feelings
• Community resources
• Financial concerns
• Pain management
• Nutrition and physical activity
• Cancer-related fatigue
• Keeping well in mind, body, and spirit
Our professional staff develops an individually prescribed supervised exercise plan, with physician approval, based on therapy restrictions and energy levels. Clinical outcomes related to quality of life are assessed and documented for each participant.
For more information, please contact Laura Childs at (478) 445-7542 or laura.childs@gcsu.edu.
