The Cancer Recovery Program
Helping You Thrive
The cancer recovery program at Memorial Fitness Centers provides appropriate exercise plans, nutrition counseling, relaxation techniques and social support to assist cancer patients in achieving and maintaining their wellness goals.
Studies suggest that a coordinated fitness program like Memorial's can help cancer patients:
- Regain a sense of control and normalcy
- Combat anxiety or depression
- Reduce fatigue
- Improve blood flow and minimize the risk of blood clots
- Reduce pain
- Ease dependence on others for the activities of daily living
- Increase overall physical functioning
- Improve self-esteem
How Does the Cancer Recovery Program Work?
The cancer recovery program is a two-month outpatient program available at both Memorial Fitness Center locations in South Broward. Qualified patients receive a free membership to Memorial Fitness Centers for the duration of their time in the program. These free two-month memberships, called scholarships, are provided by the Cancer Recovery Scholarship Program, a nonprofit program sponsored by Memorial Foundation.
New enrollees begin with a welcome session where members of the fitness team provide detailed information about the benefits and services available to them through the cancer recovery program. The team consists of exercise physiologists, fitness instructors, stress reduction specialists and registered dietitians, all working together to develop individualized programs to help each patient minimize or overcome the side effects of cancer and its treatments.
Topics covered in the welcome session include:
- Exercise routine
- Nutrition counseling
- The importance of restful recovery between workouts
- Stress reduction
- Suggestions on group fitness classes
At the session, the patients will sign up for a one-on-one appointment with a registered dietitian and a group orientation with an exercise physiologist who provides an introduction to the exercise equipment.
The cancer recovery program is invaluable to the patient, not just for the breadth of services provided by the Memorial fitness team, but for the opportunity to meet other patients who are "walking the same path" in cancer treatment. The group-sharing and social support help patients stay motivated to reach their goals.
At the conclusion of the free two-month program, cancer recovery patients will be eligible to continue their membership to Memorial Fitness Centers at a special discount rate for one year.
Applying to the Cancer Recovery Program
The cancer recovery program and scholarship are intended for individuals who have been recently diagnosed with cancer and are at the end of the treatment phase of recovery and in need of an exercise program to help them return to normal activities.
A physician's referral is required. For details about applying, call (954) 265-5800.
Support the Memorial Cancer Recovery Scholarship Program
Kenny Hanson learned that exercise made a noticeable difference in his treatment for blood cancer, so he founded the Memorial Cancer Recovery Scholarship Program to help other cancer patients.
You can make a difference, too. Each year, individuals, businesses and organizations faithfully support Memorial Healthcare System through generous gifts to Memorial Foundation and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation. Whether large or small, these gifts contribute to our ability to strengthen our community's healthcare. You may choose to direct your gift to the Cancer Recovery Scholarship Program Fund at the Foundations, or you may simply contribute to the general fund that supports the vital programs and services at Memorial Cancer Institute.
For more information about the Foundations, please call (954) 265-3454.
Cancer Recovery Program offered at:
