SCCCF Survive, Thrive & Be Fit 2020 Preview!

SCCCF Survive, Thrive & Be Fit 2020 Preview!

SCCCF Survive, Thrive & Be Fit – 2020 Preview!

The Sheboygan County Cancer Care Fund (SCCCF) has a primary focus to assist local cancer patients and survivors with financial “gestures” to help them cope with the financial challenges of a cancer diagnosis. We have approved more than $1.5 MILLION in financial assistance for those in our community experiencing cancer since the first gesture was granted in June of 2002.

In 2010, SCCCF offered its first FREE Survive, Thrive & Be Fit (ST&BF) Gentle Yoga for Cancer Survivors class that continues to be popular for local cancer patients and survivors. In the years since, SCCCF has offered additional FREE ST&BF activities for area cancer patients and survivors including: Steps to Survivorship group walk/jog/runs, an Indoor Row Group, Pickleball Play, Hiking Along the Cancer Journey overnight backpack outings with day-hike opportunities and more!

Research shows that being physically active following a cancer diagnosis can positively impact recovery from treatment, increase the rate of survival and contribute to a greater quality of life. It helps patients tolerate treatment, endure side effects, improve energy and strength and increase their mental fortitude. Additionally, ST&BF connects local cancer patients and survivors in a positive and supportive environment in which they can share personal stories, helpful information and best practices gaining support, encouragement, inspiration and friendship.

Survive, Thrive & Be Fit Point System: Every time you sign up for and participate in a ST&BF activity you will earn one point while joining our efforts in “Making Sheboygan County the Healthiest Place to Survive Cancer!” Earn just five points and you will also earn the right to “wear the blue” of Survive, Thrive & Be Fit and receive your FREE ST&BF t-shirt and other apparel and merchandise!

Watch the Local Cancer Community Update for a listing of ST&BF activities and events throughout the year and monthly ST&BF Team point updates!

Ten-Year Anniversary of Survive, Thrive & Be Fit: We will gather on Saturday, February 1st to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Survive, Thrive & Be Fit with a variety of (“bundled”) opportunities including an Indoor Row Group session (8A to 1030A) Gentle Yoga for Cancer Survivors class (930A to 1030A), a special lunch to honor and recognize area survivor-athletes (11A to 1P) followed by a TLC Survivorship Can Be Fun Game Gathering (1P to 3P) during which we will play some Blackjack. Mark your calendar and watch for details and consider joining for one, some or all activities!

Gentle Yoga for Cancer Survivors: We will kick off 2020 with a special month of our Gentle Yoga for Cancer Survivors Class that includes four different forms of yoga being offered throughout the month by yoga instructor and cancer survivor Stacy Harriott, CYT (see attached for details)!

Saturday, January 4th: Kundalini Yoga is often called the yoga of awakening. It incorporates movement, dynamic breathing techniques, meditation, and sound to build physical vitality, mental clarity, and increase consciousness. Each class opens with a chant followed by physical exercise (accessible for all levels), rest, and the meditation.

Monday, January 13th: Yin Yoga is a more meditative approach with a physical focus. Yin postures are passive and mainly practiced on the floor. It is unique in that you are asked to relax in the posture and soften the muscle. Yin offers a much deeper access to the body through softening and holding poses for a longer time.

Monday, January 20th: Restorative Yoga is a practice that is all about slowing down and opening your body through passive stretching. Using long holds restorative yoga encourages the body to relax deeply. It's a unique feeling because props, rather than your muscles, are used to support your body.

Monday, January 27th: Gentle Yoga is generally a lower intensity yoga with a high focus and commitment. Classes move at a steady pace, slowly cycling though a series of floor based or seated asanas. Though you can expect a few standing poses, you'll spend most of the class on your mat.

Typically, we will be offering three weeknight yoga sessions (530P) and one Saturday morning yoga session (930A) each month, except during the summer months during which we may offer fewer sessions.

Indoor Row Group: The current Indoor Row Group season, which runs from November 1st through April 30th, is well underway but area cancer patients/survivors are welcome to join us at anytime. We are off to a record-setting year as we prepare for, among other things, the Fifth Annual Lake Michigan Crossing (rowing a distance equal to crossing Lake Michigan on Concept2 rowing machines in the comfort and safety of the Sheboygan YMCA’s Lakeview Center) on Saturday, March 14th at the Sheboygan YMCA (with a more casual return row on Sunday at MOA/SCBS). To learn more about the fun and the health benefits of this growing group of survivor-athletes, contact Tim.

Pickleball Play: Pickleball is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels and is considered by some to be the fastest growing sport in the US. The rules are simple and the game is easy to learn, combining many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong while being played both indoors and out. It’s a sport where youthful power and speed are often bested by mature skill and finesse. It’s inexpensive and convenient with new pickleball courts popping up right here in Sheboygan. It’s is gentler on joints and played on a smaller court than tennis while still offering an effective workout with the added benefit of being an avenue to socialize and making new friends. You are welcome to join us at any of our monthly indoor Pickleball Play sessions (Wednesdays; January 8th and on the 1st Wednesday of the month through May). Outdoor sessions will be scheduled during the warmer months.

Steps to Survivorship: Join us the morning of Saturday, January 18th at Walla-Hi Park as we take some Steps to Survivorship. If conditions allow, there may be some Survivors on Snowshoes! Bring your camera or cell phone and and submit your photos for Survivorship Through the Lens! There will be prizes for selected photos and winning photos will appear in a future issue of this update! Afterwards, you are invited to join us at Laack’s Hall for the Hunting for a Cure fundraiser!

We will offer a variety of Steps to Survivorship opportunities throughout the year including Survivors on Snowshoes (based on conditions). As we did in 2019, we will schedule some Steps to Survivoship sessions in conjunction with “Food Truck Mondays” at Vollrath Park between June and September that, this year, will also include Pickleball Play as we plan to utilize the new pickleball courts at Vollrath Park. Additional Steps to Survivorship will be scheduled from spring through fall along the Shoreline 400 trail near Suscha’s Bar & Grill. Watch for these and other Steps to Survivorship opportunities starting in Spring, 2020!

Steps to Survivorship/Survivorship Through the Lens: In addition to the upcoming Survivorship Through the Lens opportunity at Walla-Hi County Park, watch this update for our seasonal visits to the Christopher Farm & Gardens including our annual Survivorship Through the Lens People’s Choice Photo Contest! Special thanks to Mr. Jay Christopher, owner, along with Erika and Rob who have graciously welcomed us and allowed us to experience the beauty and uniqueness of the property during every season! Other outings, including a wild flower hike are being planned!

Hiking Along the Cancer Journey Overnight Outing with Day Hikes: Plan to join us for a multi-day excursion scheduled for May 15th to 17th at the Greenbush Group Camp that will combine backpacking and base camp options with plenty of day hiking opportunities along the Ice Age Trail and nearby Greenbush Trails! Additional summer and/or fall outings will also be considered!

Active Survivors of Sheboygan Activity Logs: This exercise and activity log is another way to earn points. You choose the activity to participate in and the intensity that is best for your current level of fitness! Track your daily exercise and activity on the log sheets and submit them at the end of the month to Tim. Exercise 30-minutes or more 12-15 days during the month and you will earn one point, 16-19 days or more to earn 2 points, 20 days or more to earn 3 points. Contact Tim to have a 2020 Active Survivors of Sheboygan Activity Log sent to you!

2020 ST&BF Team Member Honorboard: New this year, watch for the 2020 ST&BF Team Member Honorboards that will feature all of the survivor-athletes who earn a spot on the 2020 ST&BF Team! Survivor-athletes profiles will be featured in this Local Cancer Community Update and will be available online at www.scccf.org.

Newsletter Sign-up