YMCA of Central MA & St Vincent Hospital Hosts “Celebrating Survivorship”

Thursday, October 27, 2016

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

“An Evening of Inspiration” Celebrating Survivorship, honoring five years of impact with the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Program. The night’s proceeds will benefit LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, a holistic wellness initiative – offered at no cost – designed to rebuild and regain the health of cancer survivors as well as engage them and their caregivers with a network of support.

The evening will feature dinner, an inspiring keynote address along with live and silent auctions.

“We are proud to celebrate the landmark anniversary of Celebrating Survivorship, a moving event to support this life-changing program. Saint Vincent Hospital, a true steward of our cause, and other Mission Partners make possible our efforts to provide the highest-quality programming for those who need it most. Together, we fulfill the Y’s mission of strengthening the foundations of community by ensuring the health and wellbeing of individuals and families throughout Central Massachusetts.” Kathryn Zingg Hunter, President/CEO of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts

Jonathan Daige of the Worcester Police Department will serve as the evening’s keynote speaker. A survivor of brain, testicular and lung cancer, Officer Daige is now an advocate for the Pan Mass Challenge, an annual bike ride which raises money for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. After undergoing six surgeries, Daige led a team of fellow officers, dubbed the Thin Blue Ride, to ride nearly 200 miles and raise $4,500 each for cancer research. This summer, the Pan Mass Challenge and the Boston Red Sox honored him for his outstanding volunteerism and fundraising efforts. Daige is a shining example of the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

In 2011, the Y began hosting LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, joining the ranks of over 400 YMCAs across the country to build emotional and physical strength in cancer survivors. Highly-trained and experienced instructors tailor exercise routines to the needs of each participant. Program attendees leave their 12-week session feeling stronger in body, mind and spirit. The YMCA of Central Massachusetts invites you to join their cause at this year’s Celebrating Survivorship event held in the Atrium at Saint Vincent Hospital.

About YMCA of Central Massachusetts: Founded in 1864, the YMCA of Central Massachusetts is an association united in a common goal to strengthen our communities and to develop the spirit, mind and body of all persons, regardless of means, through activities guided by and based upon our core values of caring, respect and responsibility. The YMCA of Central Massachusetts strengthens our community while serving, more than 30,000 men, women, boys and girls in 57 Central Massachusetts towns through five branches: the Central Community Branch in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood, the Greendale Family Branch in North Worcester, Boroughs Family Branch in Westborough, the Montachusett Community Branch in Fitchburg, the Leominster Community Branch-and through many off-site camps and program centers.www.ymcaofcm.org

For information about YMCA or LIVESTRONG at the Y—Sharon Henderson, Director of Marketing, 508.755.6101 ext. 248