Presbyterian Healthcare 
2003 News Releases
Cancer Center Receives Lance Armstrong Foundation Grant
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July 21, 2003 Contact: Amy Philbeck, Presbyterian Healthcare, 704-384-9798 |
An exercise and nutrition-based cancer rehabilitation program at Presbyterian Cancer Center recently received the only North Carolina grant in the Lance Armstrong Foundation's nationwide community grant program.
Now, thirty local patients living with or recovering from cancer will be able to participate in the Strides to Strength rehabilitation program free of charge.
Making the $10,000 grant even more unique, this is the first year the Lance Armstrong Foundation has extended its community grant program outside of the organization's home state of Texas, said Tara Ballard, manager of Cancer Rehabilitation services at Presbyterian Hospital.
"Strides to Strength is a well-structured, personalized program that fits closely with the Lance Armstrong Foundation's goal of supporting participation in physical activity as a means toward well-being for cancer survivors during and long after treatment," said Priya Sircar, community program manager for the LAF.
Bill Bishop, 77, was one of the first to join the program under one of the scholarships. "My wife heard about the program and said that she thought it was exactly what I needed. My 'get up and go' had just got up and went," Bishop said.
"Strides to Strength is designed to help patients achieve physical and emotional recovery with a focus on exercise, nutrition and overall wellness," Ballard said.
The 12-week, 24-session program focuses on cancer wellness and fatigue management. Anyone who complains about fatigue or aching can benefit from the program, Ballard said. The program can also help those who were active individuals before their diagnosis resume many of their normal activities. Ballard said the goal is to maintain or improve the quality of life of a person who is dealing with cancer.
Bill Bishop's wife, Ruth, 76, is a breast cancer survivor, so she decided to join the program and qualified for a scholarship as well. For the past six weeks, the couple has attended sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have learned new ways to exercise and track their health, healthy recipes to cook at home and even tips for healthy grocery shopping.
Several other patients also have joined the program under one of the Lance Armstrong Foundation's grant scholarships. Ballard estimates that 50 to 60 percent of patients need some type of financial assistance.
"A lot of the patients are out of work, paying for treatment and medications," Ballard said. "It's difficult to pay those costs, and then pay for rehabilitation services too. We try to help everyone. This grant will help tremendously."
Patients must either be referred by a physician or self-referred with proper medical authorization. Strides for Strength meets every Tuesday and Thursday at the Dowd YMCA, on Morehead Street and South Boulevard, at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. For more information, call Tara Ballard at 704-384-5560.
Cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong began the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 to enhance the quality of life for those living with, through and beyond cancer. The Lance Armstrong Foundation has a particular focus on exercise as a means of recovery.
Now, thirty local patients living with or recovering from cancer will be able to participate in the Strides to Strength rehabilitation program free of charge.
Making the $10,000 grant even more unique, this is the first year the Lance Armstrong Foundation has extended its community grant program outside of the organization's home state of Texas, said Tara Ballard, manager of Cancer Rehabilitation services at Presbyterian Hospital.
"Strides to Strength is a well-structured, personalized program that fits closely with the Lance Armstrong Foundation's goal of supporting participation in physical activity as a means toward well-being for cancer survivors during and long after treatment," said Priya Sircar, community program manager for the LAF.
Bill Bishop, 77, was one of the first to join the program under one of the scholarships. "My wife heard about the program and said that she thought it was exactly what I needed. My 'get up and go' had just got up and went," Bishop said.
"Strides to Strength is designed to help patients achieve physical and emotional recovery with a focus on exercise, nutrition and overall wellness," Ballard said.
The 12-week, 24-session program focuses on cancer wellness and fatigue management. Anyone who complains about fatigue or aching can benefit from the program, Ballard said. The program can also help those who were active individuals before their diagnosis resume many of their normal activities. Ballard said the goal is to maintain or improve the quality of life of a person who is dealing with cancer.
Bill Bishop's wife, Ruth, 76, is a breast cancer survivor, so she decided to join the program and qualified for a scholarship as well. For the past six weeks, the couple has attended sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have learned new ways to exercise and track their health, healthy recipes to cook at home and even tips for healthy grocery shopping.
Several other patients also have joined the program under one of the Lance Armstrong Foundation's grant scholarships. Ballard estimates that 50 to 60 percent of patients need some type of financial assistance.
"A lot of the patients are out of work, paying for treatment and medications," Ballard said. "It's difficult to pay those costs, and then pay for rehabilitation services too. We try to help everyone. This grant will help tremendously."
Patients must either be referred by a physician or self-referred with proper medical authorization. Strides for Strength meets every Tuesday and Thursday at the Dowd YMCA, on Morehead Street and South Boulevard, at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. For more information, call Tara Ballard at 704-384-5560.
Cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong began the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 to enhance the quality of life for those living with, through and beyond cancer. The Lance Armstrong Foundation has a particular focus on exercise as a means of recovery.
