YMCA bringing Livestrong to borough

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NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck YMCA wants to help cancer survivors live stronger lives.

Livestrong at the YMCA is coming to the Naugatuck Y in October, said Karen Lineweber, membership director at the Naugatuck YMCA.

Livestrong is a 12-week exercise program designed to meet the needs of cancer survivors. The program is led by certified instructors who are trained in cancer survivorship, post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive cancer care.

“Everybody knows somebody that has been affected by cancer,” Lineweber said. “It’s for the community.”

Lineweber said the program is about more than exercising. Instructors take a “listen-first approach” and talk with survivors to get a complete picture — physical and mental — to design a specific regiment for their individual needs.

“It’s exercising the mind and the body,” Lineweber said.

This is the first time that the Naugatuck YMCA has been able to bring the program to the borough. The program is free. Participants and their families also get free memberships to the Y.

“They (family members and caregivers) need to take care of themselves as well,” Lineweber said.

The Naugatuck YMCA is raising money to support the Livestrong program. The Y is holding a spin-a-thon Sept. 24 on the Town Green during Mayor Pete’s Downtown Festival.

The spin-a-thon, which will be led by master spin instructors, is from 3 to 7 p.m. and open to the first 14 teams or individuals that sign up. Teams of four or more must commit to raise $1,000. Solo riders must commit to raise $750.

Donations can be made online at crowdrise.com/naugatuckymca.

For more information on the spin-a-thon contact Naugatuck YMCA Director of Health and Wellness Naida Rodriguez-Rosado at 203-729-9622. For more information on Livestrong or to apply for the program, contact Lineweber at 203-729-9622.