“In life, we face all types of challenges,” says Annie Donovan, Aquatic Fitness Instructor at our Emilson Y. “I can truly say the YMCA always gets me back to my happy place.”
Most of our Emilson Y members know Annie Donovan. Annie has been teaching Aqua Fitness classes at our Y for over five years. She played a key role in running our Aqua Fitness programs throughout the pandemic and continues to teach despite major health challenges.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Annie just finished her second battle with this disease. Throughout her cancer journey, Y members and staff have reached out to Annie, sharing well wishes, personal experiences, and loving, healing thoughts, truly demonstrating the Y core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Annie shared that some of her brightest moments were receiving the many cards, texts and emails of encouragement from the Y.
Annie is currently in remission and is back to teaching her dynamic Aqua Fitness classes at our Emilson Y, where she was welcomed back with open arms and excited class regulars.
During a cancer journey, staying active becomes a daily source of strength, pushing individuals towards an improved quality of life. Even when modified, exercise enhances the quality of life for cancer patients, fostering both mental and physical well-being and aiding patients in coping and healing throughout their experience.
The South Shore YMCA is proud to offer the Staystrong cancer support program, a collaborative community program providing free Y membership and essential daily living support to cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their household family members in spirit, mind, and body. Thanks to the generous support of donors, this program is offered at no cost to participants.
Throughout the month of October, we are honoring those touched by cancer as we raise funds and awareness for the Staystrong Program. To learn more about Staystrong and how you can make an impact, visit ssymca.org/staystrong.
