Stronger Together: How Movement Supports Cancer Survivors

After cancer treatment, progress often begins quietly. Walking a little farther than yesterday. Sleeping a little better. Feeling slightly more like yourself again.

For many survivors, movement becomes part of rebuilding strength and confidence. A short walk. A gentle stretch. A class shared with others who understand. Physical activity can help restore energy, ease lingering side effects, and create steadiness during recovery.

To better understand the role movement can play in that process, we spoke with Mary Senecal, a retired oncology nurse and Certified Cancer Trainer who has led local LIVESTRONG at the YMCA groups since 2013. This free 12-week small-group program is designed specifically for adults who have experienced cancer, offering structured, supportive movement led by instructors who understand the realities of treatment and recovery.

Meeting Survivors Where They Are

For many survivors, structured exercise can feel intimidating after treatment. LIVESTRONG offers a different starting point.

Participants meet twice a week for 90 minutes over 12 weeks. Chairs are available. Movements are adaptable. Strap-on weights support those managing arthritis. The focus isn’t intensity, it’s accessibility.

“Our goal is to make exercise accessible to all,” Mary says.

Mary regularly sees improvements in fatigue, insomnia, nausea, and pain. As confidence grows, participants explore options like chair yoga, water aerobics, or other YMCA programs that feel manageable and sustainable.

“We take everyone’s limitations into consideration and try to find exercise options that work for them,” she explains.

The goal isn’t pushing harder. It’s creating a space where each person can move at their own pace and build from there.

Led with Experience. Strengthened in Community.

Mary’s years as an oncology infusion nurse shape the way she leads. She understands lymphedema, neuropathy, and treatment-related fatigue. That clinical experience builds trust. Participants know they’re guided by someone who understands what recovery actually feels like.

“They appreciate that I understand what they’re going through,” she says.

Just as important is the connection within the group itself. Everyone in a LIVESTRONG class shares a cancer history. Comparisons soften. Encouragement rises. Participants support one another in ways that extend beyond the gym, walking together, attending classes side by side, even staying connected long after the program ends.

The strength built in these groups is both physical and deeply relational.

Small Steps, Steady Progress

Sustainable habits are built on ordinary days, especially low-energy ones.

When someone tells Mary they have no energy, she offers a simple challenge: walk around the block. Walk the indoor track once.

“Almost 100% of people say they feel a little bit better,” she says.

That small improvement often becomes the reason they come back the next day.

Looking Ahead

At the South Sound CARE Foundation, our commitment extends beyond treatment. We are here for the work of recovery—the steady rebuilding that happens in the weeks, months, and years that follow.

Recovery includes rebuilding strength. Regaining energy. Learning to trust your body again. It includes finding encouragement in the person walking beside you and realizing you’re not alone.

For many survivors, movement becomes part of something larger. Not just surviving, but living fully again.

And often, it begins with one small step forward.