Projects coordinator for the Be Fit for Life Centre, Diane Gallagher says ACE has been offered at Lethbridge College since 2018.
She notes they start the course with a pre-test for participants and wrap-up the 12-week session by conducting the same test to get an overview of an individual’s improvement.
“The clients always really enjoy seeing that gain over 12 weeks, whether it’s that they can balance longer on one foot, whether they are able to do more laps in their six-minute walk or, you know, they can do more sit-to-stand to show that they’ve gained some leg strength,” she says.
Gallagher adds that most of the sessions feature returning clients known as ‘maintenance members’ to help provide guidance to newer participants.
“It’s very rewarding as an instructor to help people,” she says.
Joanne Sorensen is one of the program participants. She says before her cancer diagnosis, she was very active, going to the gym three to five times a week.
“You go from that to nothing,” Sorensen remarks.
“You can hardly get off the couch to tend to yourself, let alone exercise. When I was finally strong enough to at least come to the ACE program, it was really nice because it was geared for people going through treatment.”
She says being able to help with cancer research is a big perk of the program, too.
“It gave me strength to start doing my normal things again, like I could come and then from here, I would go grocery shopping, whereas before it was like ‘no way’,” Sorensen adds.
“It helps in all aspects of your life. It just kind of [picks] up the pieces and helps you to move forward with doing things again.”
SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Sorensen says the program delivers a sense of community.
“You’re with other fellow cancer patients who have been through what you’ve been through and there’s just no judgement and [there is] encouragement,” she remarks.
Sorensen says she is currently in remission but is undergoing treatment to stay in remission. She says her medication sometimes has side effects, but the program allows her to get exercise at her own pace and take a break if she needs to.
Fellow participant Mike McCague was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021. He explains that he went through radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
“It seems to have taken care of the cancer part, but I did have a fair bit of lung damage from the chemo, so I have a bit of problems with breathing when I’m exercising,” he says.
McCague notes that the program has led to improvements in his health.
“One of the tests is how far we can walk in a certain amount of time. I’ve had an improvement in that. Flexibility is one that I had quite a bit of improvement in. The first time I could hardly bend, and now I can pretty much hit my toes,” he says.
Echoing Sorensen’s comments regarding the sense of community, saying this program has led to his participation in another group.
Participant Roy Ermter says his balance has improved thanks to the ACE program.
“When I first joined this program, I couldn’t stand on one foot for more than a few seconds. Now I can do it for quite a lot longer, so it’s really working,” Ermter notes.
Ermter adds he has also noticed an improvement in his endurance.
The next ACE program starts on April 2, 2024. Those interested in getting involved can contact Lethbridge College or visit the ACE program website.
