WARSAW — The Kosciusko Community YMCA will become a provider of the nationally recognized LiveStrong at the YMCA program thanks to an implementation grant from YMCA of the United States, the Y’s national resource office, in partnership with the LiveStrong Foundation.

Locally, the K21 Health Foundation is also providing a $35,000 grant for the program. Launching in early 2016, the 12-week physical activity and well-being initiative helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. Additionally, programs like LiveStrong at the YMCA are part of the Y’s overall commitment to help cancer survivors recover in a safe, supportive environment.

LiveStrong at the YMCA is an evidence-based program built on best practices for cancer survivor exercise. The goals of the program are to empower adult cancer survivors improve functional capacity and increase their quality of life through an organized program of fitness and strength offered in a supportive, small-group setting.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 14 million people in the U.S. today are cancer survivors, those living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis. Historically, health care providers instructed cancer patients to rest and avoid activity or exertion, but studies now demonstrate the importance of physical activity for cancer survivors.

“Research shows exercise is the simplest way for cancer survivors to reduce fatigue, improve their mood and bounce back more quickly from the debilitating effects of cancer treatment,” said Chandini Portteus, president and CEO of the LiveStrong Foundation.

“The YMCA is the perfect collaborator for the program because of its national reach, commitment to meeting the needs of all community members and history of program innovation in support of health and wellness. Through our partnership, we’ve now been able to widely expand the program into more than 450 cities throughout the country to ensure survivors have access.”

The Kosciusko Community YMCA is one of 21 Ys in the U.S. to receive a 2015 LiveStrong at the YMCA implementation grant from Y-USA in partnership with the LiveStrong Foundation. This grant will help with the initial program training and implementation, while funding from the K21 Health Foundation will sustain these efforts and offer the 12-week exercise program free of charge to survivors.

The YMCA will also be starting an encouraging and resourceful support group for cancer survivors and their families/caregivers. The support group will meet at 4:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month starting Feb. 8, in the Parkview Center for Healthy Living. The support group is free to anyone who would like to come.

“We are honored to bring LiveStrong at the YMCA to Kosciusko Community and share the passion of the LiveStrong Foundation for inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer. We look forward to working together to make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors and their families,” said Stacy Thomas, director of healthy living at Kosciusko Community YMCA. “Additionally, as the leading community-based network committed to improving the nation’s health, offering programs like LiveStrong at the YMCA also enables us to build organizational capacity and infrastructure to help better serve cancer survivors. We are so thankful for the K21 Health Foundation and their willingness to support our efforts to help cancer survivors and their families improve their quality of life.”