A woman takes her personal experience to design a nonprofit exercise program for Northern Michigan cancer patients.
Some Northern Michigan cancer patients are seeing the benefits of exercise through a new class. It was a personal experience that inspired Karen Merrill to take what she loves to the people she loves, by starting up the nonprofit program.
"I went through all the breast cancer treatments with my best friend. I held her hand during her lumpectomy, I went to her chemo treatments," said Merrill. "The Ho'ola Cancer Exercise Wellness Program is important because cancer patients have a long journey, from their initial diagnosis to their recovery."
Merrill designed the program to fit two dozen different types of cancer. Those choosing to participate can be women or men, from diagnosis to two years in remission.
"Each client or participant undergoes an hour long assessment prior to starting the class," said Merrill. "The class meets as a group twice a week for an hour. Each individual is working on their own unique program to meet their needs, where they are in their treatment protocols and what their interests are. We do everything from range of motion, flexibility, cardiovascular exercise, strength training, balance re-training."
Jean Mahoney is undergoing radiation as part of her breast cancer treatment. She said her doctors have encouraged her to exercise, and Karen's program has been empowering.
"We started at the real basics and I'm still on really light weights," said Mahoney. "But I feel better and it makes me feel good to do what I'm doing."
The classes are free, but you do need to sign up for the 10 week sessions. The next session starts in January at Premier Health and Fitness in Grand Traverse County. Merrill also has a program in Hawaii.
