Celia was diagnosed with a high-risk form of leukemia at just three years old while living overseas. Upon returning to Boston, Celia underwent an intensive chemotherapy protocol that left her with several physical challenges, including mobility issues and frequent injuries. Despite these obstacles, Celia’s mom Nicole was determined to keep her active and engaged.
“When Celia finished her treatments, we decided to come to the Y to see what programs might benefit her,” Nicole shared with us. “We learned about the Staystrong Program from a woman at the front desk, and it has been a real blessing for us.”
The Staystrong cancer support program offers free 12-month Y membership and wellness programs to cancer survivors, their family members, and caregivers. One of the biggest goals of Staystrong is to provide a sense of normalcy to families navigating cancer treatment and recovery.
After joining the Y, one of Nicole’s primary goals was for Celia to learn how to swim, a skill she missed out on during her treatment years. “Celia was very anxious at first, crying during her initial swim lessons,” Nicole recalled. “But her swim teacher was amazing, helping her ease into the water. Over time, Celia’s confidence grew, and she recently jumped into the deep end all by herself. It’s been life-changing.”
“I love coming to the YMCA,” says Celia, “I like to go to the pool, I get to jump in and splash. It’s so much fun!”
