CALGARY- It can be difficult to find beauty in the face of breast cancer, but for survivor Judy Hobbs – finding the “Beauty” program has been life changing.
“I was diagnosed in July of last year,” recalls Hobbs. “I was referred by my family doctor and began with the program just after my first chemotherapy treatment.”
Beauty stands for Breast Cancer Patients Engaging in Activity while Undergoing Treatment. It’s a 12-week exercise and wellness program for women who are undergoing or who have recently completed treatment.
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“The exercise can negate the side effects of treatment,” explains Jessica Danyluck, a certified exercise physiologist with the program “It also gives them the opportunity to meet other women in treatment.”
80 women have used the program since it began two years ago and now more women outside of Calgary will have the opportunity to take part.
“We have recently received funding from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to disseminate our program across the province and help other cancer centres start a program like ours,” says Danyluck.
Hobbs completed her cancer treatment last February, and says she’s excited to see the Beauty program grow.
“The Beauty program has been huge for me in terms of the motivation to stay active and also the support I received from going to a place where only breast cancer patients work out.”
For more information on the Beauty program visit: www.thriveforcancersurvivors.com
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