Our ongoing dialogue with cancer survivors through our surveys and research led us to discover that a top concern among survivors was the difficulty of returning to physical activity after treatment. In response, Livestrong partnered with the YMCA of the USA in 2007 to create Livestrong at the YMCA, a 12-week physical activity program designed to get survivors back on their feet.

Who benefits from Livestrong at the YMCA?

Survivors participate in free or low cost customized exercise regimens catered to their individual needs from certified fitness instructors. The instructors are trained in cancer survivorship, post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive cancer care. Survivors, and often their families, receive a membership at the YMCA for the duration of the program.

We recently worked with researchers from Yale University and Dana Farber Cancer Institute to conduct a research study on the impact of the program on participants’ cancer-related outcomes. We found that participants experienced significant increases in physical activity, overall quality of life and fitness performance as well as decreases in cancer-related fatigue.

• Direct Services — We offer free personalized support to cancer survivors, caregivers and loved ones.
• Community Programs — We develop community programs to address the day-to-day concerns of survivors.
• System Change — We partner with institutions and policymakers to change the way the world fights cancer.

Livestrong Navigation

Livestrong Navigation provides free, personalized support for the practical, physical and emotional concerns that people face when dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

What content informed this program?

In 2003, we launched Livestrong.org as an online resource for cancer survivors. One year later we started SurvivorCare, now known as Livestrong Cancer Navigation, to directly provide free, personalized support in English and in Spanish to survivors, caregivers and health professionals. Through ongoing research, we’ve learned that our services reduce distress and help survivors and caregivers feel more empowered in their cancer journey.

Why Livestrong Navigation?

Hearing the words “you have cancer” can be overwhelming. We kick in the second you’re diagnosed, and are ready to walk with you on your cancer journey. Whether it’s through personalized, confidential support or guidance through our website, networking tools and Livestrong Guidebook, we make sure you are armed with resources and knowledge.

Our services

Livestrong Navigation provides assistance with managing medical expenses and insurance challenges, fertility preservation, understanding treatment options, and accessing emotional support. The Livestrong Guidebook, Livestrong.org and Livestrong Rally add complimentary assistance to our personal support services. We partner with best-in-class organizations to ensure that our clients receive timely and comprehensive support and information.

Livestrong Guidebook

The Livestrong Guidebook is a two-book set that helps cancer survivors and caregivers navigate the physical, emotional and practical concerns they may have during their cancer journey.

The Guidebook provides information and resources to address specific concerns that patients, loved ones and caregivers often have at the time of diagnosis, during treatment and post-treatment. The accompanying Livestrong Planner and Journal allows the user to organize their information and record their individual experiences.

The Livestrong Guidebook helps survivors, loved ones and caregivers:

• Learn about cancer and treatment
• Find the best health care
• Find quality resources and support services
• Learn what questions to ask
• Make health and life planning decisions
• Understand insurance and financial issues
• Keep track of the cancer experience
• Find hope

In 2017, we introduced a digital version of the Guidebook. As a replica edition of the print version, the Digital Guidebook provides the same content and allows users to access the Guidebook anytime, anywhere via an internet connected computer or tablet device.

Why Livestrong Fertility?

More than 150,000 people of reproductive age are diagnosed with cancer each year. For cancer survivors, fertility preservation can be a distressing struggle. Insurance providers often don't cover the cost of expensive treatment and patients can be faced with starting cancer treatment right away which may impact their fertility.

Livestrong fertility helps bridge this gap by offering access to discounted fertility preservation services and free medications, giving survivors the change to build a family.

For more information visit the livestrong.org website.