Fitness Friends
As we approach month six of quarantine, we have started to return to our usual routines, which for many include working out at our local gyms. A good workout, a crucial part of some people’s routines, benefits both our physical and mental health and serves as respite from our new normal but unfortunately, gyms remain closed.
At 13thirty Cancer Connect, we recognize the impact of physical activity on our well-being, especially following cancer treatment. We have continued to offer our fitness programs virtually to our AYAs and their parents. All of our workout programs include Rochester and Syracuse members, making connections across counties. Both of our trainers have gotten to know members and their families from both of our centers.
We are so thankful to have made connections with our local trainers— Michelle Dougan, CPT, from Elevate Fitness in Liverpool and Brianne Young, PT, DPT, from UR Medicine Home Care in Rochester. Our trainers have stuck with us through quarantine and adapted to our new remote program style via Zoom video chats. They both continue to challenge us at our monthly 13thirty Fit! and Parent Fit! programs. Check out our calendar and join us for our next fitness program!
If you’re interested in one-on-one sessions with Michelle, contact her today via Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/shelsworkout
Cornhole
Rochester Event – Register your team in the cornhole tournament today to benefit 13thirty Cancer Connect.
Amerks Hockey Game
Rochester Program – AYAs – Don’t miss out as we watch the Rochester Americans hockey team take on their rival, the Syracuse Crunch!
13thirty Fit!
Program of the Month
13thirty Fit!
Every Wednesday for the last four weeks, parents of our teens and young adults have met at our Syracuse center for 13thirty Fit!, an eight-week program designed to help develop healthy workout habits easy enough to do at home without expensive equipment or gym fees. The program, led by our oncology-certified fitness coach, Michelle Dougan, from Elevate Fitness, includes personal goal setting and an hour-long workout each week. Everyone’s favorite songs from the 80’s keep us moving!
On our third week, we shook things up in Syracuse and invited parents to bring their kids to the program that night. Partner workouts proved to be just as challenging and even more fun than our usual workout routines. A little friendly competition between our parents and kids made us try even harder! Like all 13thirty Cancer Connect programs, peer support is an important element of our fitness programs. Working out with someone can motivate you to work out more often and stay accountable to your goals.
13thirty Fit! History
13thirty Fit! has been offered at our Rochester center to AYA members and parents since 2012 when it was first designed as part of a research study at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. The goal was simple and still the same: help AYAs regain their former level of fitness and self-confidence in a safe, judgement-free environment. In both Rochester and Syracuse, 13thirty Fit! is held in our warm, comfortable center with friends who understand what it’s like and fitness coaches who can modify exercises to accommodate individual needs.
Assessment data collected from participants before and after each program consistently point to improved functional fitness and enhanced self-efficacy. Periodic “Quick Fit” sessions held throughout the year supplement the eight-week program and help remind members to keep working on their fitness goals.
Work out with us again!
Remember, the Syracuse fitness room is available for individual workouts during regular office hours for both AYAs and parents! Just bring your signed medical release form and call Megan ahead of time at (315) 883-1862. Here’s how to find us! Find out what else is going on in Syracuse here.
Interested in 13thirty Fit! – Rochester? Contact Rochester Program Director, Steve Esposito, for more information at 595-563-6221 or visit us!
#Think13thirty on #ROCtheDay!
ROC the Day with 13thirty Cancer Connect!
ROC the Day brings our community together and 13thirty Cancer Connect hopes to make this year a huge success. This a 24-hour giving opportunity to support nonprofits in the Greater Rochester area. Community supporters like you are encouraged to visit ROCtheDay.org, a secure online giving platform, to contribute to any participating nonprofit organization, like 13thirty Cancer Connect. Donors have can make an impact by giving to one or multiple organizations to support their personal philanthropic passions. We hope you consider 13thirty Cancer Connect!
When you choose 13thirty Cancer Connect, you are supporting vital peer support programs for teens and young adults with cancer. In fact, all money given during ROC the Day stays local. What’s more, United Way of Greater Rochester is hosting ROC the Day as a service to our community and will cover their portion of the standard processing fee! That means your contribution will have an even greater impact for teens and young adults with cancer.
New Goals for the New Year
Last year we raised over $1,500 in just one day. We’re hoping to inspire even more ROCstar donors to give to 13thirty Cancer Connect this year. This year a handful of lucky ROCstar donors will be randomly chosen to give a free, additional $500 to the charity of their choice! As a 13thirty Champion, we wanted to let you know about this activity and invite you to join us in supporting this 24 hours of unprecedented nonprofit giving.
#ROCtheDay #Think13thirty