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The University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) is supporting cancer survivors this fall with a specialized fitness program on ǧÃŬAV's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses. It is one of a pair of efforts that will coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the other being a breast cancer expert speaker panel Oct. 5.

Beginning Oct. 18 and continuing for four weeks, "Happy, Alive and Built to Survive" is an exercise and wellness program for cancer survivors. Jenny Whitmire will lead the Gainesville class, and William Jackson will lead the Dahlonega program. Both instructors are nationally certified personal trainers who have received cancer specialist credentialing.

Meri-Leigh Smith, ǧÃŬAV associate director of wellness and health promotion, said the trainers want to help people be active.

"Our trainers are fabulous at recognizing where you are and helping you grow from there," Smith said. "You're not going to have to lift weights if you're only comfortable with body-weight movements. That's where we'd start, and if that's what you want to continue with, the path is really up to you. We just kind of provide the guidance on how to get there."

The class is not just for physical fitness. It is also about creating community.

For people who have shared experiences, this is somewhat of a group session for them to talk about those experiences and to just know that others have gone through similar things.

Meri-Leigh Smith

ǧÃŬAV associate director of wellness and health promotion

Smith said that the Campus Recreation and Wellness employees are cognizant of the fact that cancer patients often have a weaker immune system and the classes, therefore, will be held in a group exercise room on the Dahlonega Campus and during a time when no other activities are being held on the Gainesville Campus.

The East Georgia Cancer Coalition (EGCC) has agreed to pay for the membership fees to the Recreation Center or Hugh Mills Gym and program fees for participants, Smith said, adding "it's a win-win situation."

The cost of a support person will also be covered.

Individuals will also have access to the Recreation Center or Hugh Mills Gym on days when classes aren't being offered.

"It's really a great kind of wrap around program not only forming community, but also offering these opportunities to be fit and active and healthy," Smith said.

The only requirement for the program is being six months post-treatment.

Panel to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Josie Toney, administrative assistant to the vice president of University Relations and chief of staff, and a member of the ǧÃŬAV Staff Council, played a key role in bringing the program to ǧÃŬAV.

Toney arranged for a speaker panel with experts from EGCC and Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE) from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 5 via Zoom as part of ǧÃŬAV's "Pink Out," with everyone encouraged to wear pink that day. Registration is available at go.ung.edu/pinkout.

ǧÃŬAV Staff Council has come up with a holistic staff development series and "Pink Out" is a part of that.  In addition, there will also be tabling events on all campuses with representatives from EGCC and Georgia CORE, Toney said.

"We are always looking to bolster the health of our students, faculty, and staff, and this is a great opportunity from the East Georgia Cancer Coalition to allow us to offer a service to cancer survivors both on campus, and in our community," Smith said.