For Survivors, By Survivors
The YMCA of Middle Tennessee’s After Breast Cancer (ABC) Program was designed by survivors, for survivors, to provide education and healing for mind, body and spirit after a breast cancer diagnosis. During the free 16-week program, you’ll find a community of other survivors to help you through as you bridge that gap of “treatment’s over… now what?”
Together, along with a team of professionals, you’ll begin to define and discover your own unique “new normal” through supervised exercise, nutrition classes and discussion groups.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
What
- A 16-week program for breast cancer survivors to find a community of healing and hope
- Offered in a group setting of 8-10 people
- Learn about healthy eating, resume or begin a regular exercise program, and form a healing community in small group discussions
- In-person and virtual options available
Program Components
- Lymphedema Education with a certified lymphedema therapist
- Exercise with a Pink Ribbon Certified Trainer in a small group setting (12 weeks; two 1-hour workouts per week (24 total workouts))
- Nutrition Education with a Registered Dietitian
(4 weeks; one 1-hour sessions per week, delivered virtually. Individual consultations also available.) - Small Group led by survivors and ABC graduates who are trained to facilitate discussions that are designed to unlock emotional healing and discover each person’s unique “new normal”. Our curriculum, Journey to Wholeness, is written specifically for breast cancer survivors. (9 weeks; one 90-minute meeting per week)
Who
- Anyone who’s had a diagnosis of breast cancer, regardless of when that diagnosis was made.
- Must have completed all treatments and surgeries (medical clearance for physical activity is required)
- Ladies with metastatic breast cancer are welcome to participate
Cost
ABC is completely free of charge, and funded by grants, private donations and generous corporate and community sponsors.
Program Locations
- Bellevue
- Brentwood
- Clarksville
- Donelson
- Franklin
- Green Hills
- Margaret Maddox
- North Rutherford
- Robertson County
- Sumner County
- Virtual (via Zoom)
Interested in a future group or a location not listed above? Please fill out our inquiry form to join our contact list.
The best time to start the ABC Program is after you have completed all treatment, including radiation and reconstructive surgeries and no longer have physical restrictions. However, if you need support getting connected to other survivors or resources before then, we’d be happy to help!
Contact us here or select the location you are interested in above to get in touch with someone. You will be contacted within one week of receiving your email.
We are gradually adding more in-person locations over time, but the list of current locations can be found above. We do have virtual groups available as well.
The goal of the ABC Program is to enable all participants to learn and continue healthy lifestyle habits, and to define and discover their own unique "new normal." The YMCA joining fee is waived for ABC participants who want to join the Y after they finish the program, and our Open Doors policy provides financial assistance to those who qualify so that everyone can afford a membership. We also have a Weight Loss Program and other spirit-mind support groups that can offer ongoing support to participants on their journey after ABC ends. ABC educational meetings are open to all participants and graduates for as long as they’d like to come.
No. Prior membership is not required. You will receive a complimentary 4-month membership as part of the program.
If you participated virtually and would like to participate in-person, you are more than welcome to do so. Also, if you’ve had a reoccurrence since you participated, you are welcome to participate again.