Dear Friends,

This month brings Breast Cancer Awareness to the forefront. Following lung cancer, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in this country. In fact, the American Cancer Society predicts more than 232,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year alone. Unfortunately, more than 39,000 of these women will die.

The good news is less people are dying from breast cancer than in years past, especially when it comes to women under 50. This is believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment. At the Y, we'd like to believe we're playing a role in that higher survivor rate. Researchers are learning physical activity, during and after cancer treatment, can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and mortality for some cancers and can reduce the risk of developing other long-term conditions.

Through LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, we provide cancer survivors a safe, supportive environment to heal. Thanks to our generous donors and supporters, we're able to open the program to the entire community, at no cost to the cancer survivor and their immediate family. For 12 weeks, cancer survivors participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person. They work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to build their strength, flexibility and endurance.

In this newsletter, you'll read about Gill who panicked after being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. Fortunately, she beat the disease but all the treatment and surgeries involved is tough stuff. It left her feeling weak and lost. She, along with countless other LIVESTRONG members, consistently tell us the program helps them feel like themselves again. That's because LIVESTRONG at the YMCA focuses on the whole person, not the disease. So, as a result, cancer survivors are reporting a boost in their confidence and self-esteem. That way, they're moving beyond cancer in spirit, mind and body. And with a free membership to the Y, the survivors and their families can meet other members going through similar situations. It becomes a supportive community where they can connect during treatment and beyond.

If you or someone you know is recovering from any type of cancer, we can help! We offer the program FREE to all cancer survivors - at any state of survivorship - and their families at ALL of our branches. Stop by or call to find out more.

See you at the Y!

Tom Looby
President / CEO
Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA
813-224-9622

Gill Green is a LIVESTRONG member at the East Pasco Y.

As a registered nurse, Gill Green has seen a lot of women with breast cancer. But she never thought she would become one of those patients at age 46. "It was utter panic. When you are a young person, you think you're immortal," shares Gill. "You're suddenly left with thinking, 'What's going to happen to my children? What's going to happen to the house? What's going to happen to my job?' It really is life-changing." After learning she had stage three breast cancer, Gill went through eight rounds of chemotherapy, 35 radiation treatments, a double mastectomy and several reconstructive surgeries. "I got through the treatments. I was surviving but I just didn't feel like me. I was just tired. It almost sucks your soul as well as everything else in your body."

Jahquis Duvert placed first in the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick (PPK) competition at the North Brandon Y.

When 13-year-old Jahquis Duvert woke up on the morning of September 14th, he knew he had to bring his A-game to the North Brandon Family YMCA. That was the day he competed in the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick (PPK) competition. The PPK contest is a free national skills competition for boys and girls between the ages of six and 15.

For the first time, the North Brandon Y hosted the NFL's longest running youth program. That day, Jahquis joined about 100 other local kids in a fun-filled, engaging and supportive non-contact environment. "I practiced mostly every day at my grandma's house or I go outside with my friends and play football all day," says Jahquis. All his hard work paid off because he placed first in his age group and advanced to the sectional competition at the Tampa Bay Bucs training facility later this month.

Sisters Rozana and Regine have participated in volleyball, swimming and summer camp at the New Tampa Y.

Lucie Bass has been bringing her three daughters to the New Tampa Family YMCA for more than eight years. "My kids are involved in team sports and they love it," shares Lucie. From volleyball to swimming and summer camp, 14-year-old Regine, 11-year-old Rozana and 6-year-old Rianna have tried several different youth programs. "The YMCA affords me the opportunities to let my children be involved. My kids and I have made great friendships with staff members as well as other families over the years," says Lucie. The sisters learn more than just sports skills at the Y. They develop character values and teamwork skills. Youth sports also play a huge role in boosting self-esteem - a critical element in any young girl's development.

Port Tampa families also learned about water safety from South Tampa Y staff during West Shore Elementary's reading night.

As the Tampa Y strives to lessen the achievement gap between low-income students and their middle/upper-income peers, it's important for us to get out in the community and extend our reach beyond our Y walls. That's why we're committed to strengthening our partnerships with Title I schools, like West Shore Elementary in Port Tampa, where 80-85-percent of the student body is eligible for free or reduced lunch.

The NW Hillsborough Y celebrated their 10th anniversary with a free community party. Courtesy: Light Ray Photography.

It's a milestone for the Northwest Hillsborough Family YMCA. The branch celebrated its 10-year anniversary late last month and staff and volunteers sure have a lot to celebrate! The branch started out with close to 1,400 members and today it's enhancing the lives of more than 2,200 members in the Town 'n Country area.