On April 12, Landing is fielding a team for Rock the Row, to benefit Survivor Fitness Foundation. This is an event and a cause that’s very near-and-dear to my heart, and I wanted to tell you a little bit about why. Maybe you’ll decide to join our team and the fun (because rowing is AMAZING!), or maybe you’ll feel moved to chip in a little and support this worthy cause.
Survivor Fitness aids cancer survivors after they’ve completed their treatments, and are often struggling to recover from the mental and physical aftermath of their illnesses and those treatments. I never considered that many times, when survivors reach this milestone and live beyond their diagnoses, it’s not always a full-blown celebration. They might not have a plan to move forward with their lives after cancer, and can feel very lost, confused and lonely. While many receive ample support services during treatment, post-treatment support can be very hard to find.
Survivor Fitness helps cancer survivors regain their health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutrition counseling (among other services). Participants are met at their point of need and given the tools and resources to reclaim ownership over their lives, their bodies, and their minds. With the help of gyms, personal trainers, and nutritionists right here in Knoxville, the organization has helped survivors gain strength and shed many of the negative emotions related to cancer and treatment without worrying about paying for it (did you know cancer is also very expensive…???).
I lost two of the best people in my life to cancer, in very quick succession. For me, this is a way to both honor their memories and help out folks who have been given more time to walk the earth and want to regain their health, confidence and peace of mind. I was so impressed by this event the first time they ran it two years ago, by the people I met and by the organization, that I became a regular donor. Survivor Fitness helps people right here at home, and helps them reclaim their health. It’s something I think my fellow Landing-goers can get behind.
Thanks for considering!
Judith