Jackbox Game Night – Parents
Join us for a happy hour game night that you can play right from your phone! Reminder, you will need a second device for Zoom (laptop, desktop, tablet).
Parent Fit! – Parents
Start the New Year off strong with one of Brianne’s workouts along aide other parents.
Parents Game Night – Parents
Face off in a happy hour game of Name That Tune! Our AYAs loved it so much, we thought parents should have a chance to play too!
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
13thirty Programs: Wellness, Arts, and of course, Fun!
At 13thirty Cancer Connect, we host a variety of programs for our members and their parents. Offering regular programs helps address the unique challenges that AYA cancer can present. We try and tackle these challenges together through three program categories: wellness, arts, and social.
Wellness
Our wellness programs, focused on both nutrition and fitness, addresses healthier eating and getting back into shape following treatment. Last month we returned to 13thirty Fit! for both our AYAs and their parents. This month, we have a different kind of workout program; we’ll be led through a yoga class on Zoom!
Expressive Arts
Whether we’re painting Bandana Bolt medals, writing poetry, or practicing a performance for Journey’s, at 13thirty the work our AYAs do is incredible! Their compassion shines through as they share their stories with one another through their artwork, poetry, music, and more! This month we made Father’s Day cards to follow last month’s Mother’s Day cards.
Social
Getting to know other teens and young adults who understand the cancer experience is what 13thirty Cancer Connect is all about. Our Zoom game nights and happy hours are becoming hits and we will keep up the laughs and connections next month.
Guests
Wondering who can come to programs at the center and virtually on Zoom? 13thirty Cancer Connect programs are always free and we encourage members to bring a sibling or friend in the 13-30 age range. It may be eye opening to learn about the medical, physical, social, and emotional challenges facing our AYAs. Keep an eye out for our monthly program calendar. You can find it on both the Rochester and Syracuse program pages, as well as on the site calendar with our other events.
Parent Fit – Parents
Our Rochester trainer, Brianne, will guide 13thirty parents through a session of Parent Fit. Workout at home or join us from your backyard.
Parent Programs
Parent Happy Hour
At 13thirty Cancer Connect, we’ve been hosting frequent programs on Zoom for our AYAs in both Rochester and Syracuse. We finally got the chance to catch up with our 13thirty parents this month at our Parent Happy Hour program. 13thirty parents joined a Zoom call to connect with one another and catch up since quarantine went into effect.
A note from our Founder & Executive Director, Lauren Spiker:
Adolescence and young adulthood come with many life changes and transitions for teens and young adults – and for parents! We all hope our children will become independent, responsible adults able to manage the ups and downs of life on their own, but it’s often really hard to let go and watch the process unfold. When cancer enters the picture, everything changes and regardless of their age, taking care of our children becomes priority number one. In truth, I’ve never met a parent who wouldn’t trade places with his or her child in a heartbeat when cancer threatens. That not an option, our natural instinct kicks into high gear and we do everything humanly possible to ease the pain. We just do what parents do – give everything we have to take care of our child.
But it’s often a lonely road we walk. Well-meaning friends help the best they can and we are grateful but they don’t know what it’s like. How could they? That’s where 13thirty Cancer Connect comes in. Just as we do for our teens and young adults, we offer parents the comfort of peers who understand. Other parents who know how it feels even when we can’t find the words to describe our fears, our hopes, our dreams. Others who know the weight of our shoes and the pain in our hearts. Though it’s a club no parent ever wants to join, new members are always welcome!
Upcoming Parent Programs
Our next parent program is Parent Fit on Thursday, June 11th at 6:30 PM. Our Rochester trainer, Brianne will help us get back on track with our workout routines. Come dressed to workout, inside or outside for this one hour Zoom call.
Look out for our workout programs for both 13thirty AYAs and Parents and stay connected with our site calendar!
Happy Hour – Parents
Grab your drink of choice and enjoy some much needed social time with other Rochester and Syracuse 13thirty parents.
Home Cooked Meals to Help Hearts Heal
Rochester Program – Parents – Join us for another evening of cooking for the Ronald McDonald House families! All supplies included, just bring your smile and helping hands!
13thirty Parent Fit!
Syracuse Program – Parents – The 8th week of 13thirty Parent Fit! is finally here! Our trainer, Michelle, will help us finish strong these last two weeks. Spouses and partners welcome! 13thirty Parent Fit! Syracuse has recently been opened up to parents of kids with cancer of any age – children, teens, and young adults.