Tampa YMCA Launches Thriver’s Club – Cancer Survivor Program for Kids

It’s a heartbreaking need, but one that must be fulfilled, and just in time for September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA has launched Thriver’s Club, a cancer survivor program for kids ages 6-12 and 13-17. The free initiative for both members and non-members will run at our three locations: Northwest Hillsborough Family YMCA, New Tampa Family YMCA and South Tampa Family YMCA with plans to expand in additional centers in January 2025.

All About Thriver’s Club:

Starting on September 9, the 12-week youth cancer survivor program provides weekly sessions that are low-impact, helps develop coordination, and decreases deconditioning (fatigue) that is a result of treatment. There will be small groups of up to six kids per session once a week with a Thriver’s Club Coach. Evening schedules will vary at all three locations.

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Thriver’s Club will be a fun and dynamic physical fitness program focused on improving strength, endurance, coordination, mobility and balance through a variety of games, activities and exercise, to include strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, core and balance.

An estimated 1,040 children under the age of 15 are expected to die from cancer in 2024; after accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14, according to the American Cancer Society.

The most common types of childhood cancers include leukemias, brain cancers, lymphomas, and solid tumors.

Nicole Kettermann, Director of Youth Health and Wellness at the Tampa YMCA will oversee the program. She explains:

“Unfortunately, there is a need for Thriver’s Club. Children who go through cancer come out missing parts of their childhood, their bodies are weaker and deconditioned. Not only can we offer them a safe environment to increase their coordination, endurance, strength and balance, we can do it in a fun way and let them be a kid again. This initiative will not only support the child but also the family by providing a free family membership so the family as a whole can benefit from the Y and what we have to offer.”

Dawn Kita, Tampa Y’s Operations Director, Community Health, is looking forward to seeing the program launch next week.

“The Tampa Y has been working on this program for several years, serving children who are cancer survivors upon request from their parents. We are now excited to have a team assembled with a core curriculum that is research-based to launch the program officially.”

“Thriver’s Club will be a safe space for these children to regain their strength and physical skills while having fun, getting support, and making friends with other children who have undergone cancer treatment. The fact that the entire household gets free membership to the Tampa Y for the 12 weeks of the program allows for this to be a place of healing and strength for the whole family. Parents have the opportunity to exercise or to meet and bond with other parents, siblings can go to the Kids’ Zone and play, and the whole family can come together to enjoy the pool. I am excited to see Thriver’s Club officially rolled out this fall.”

Nicole echoes similar sentiments.

“I am so grateful and excited to launch this program and the impact we hope to make with these families after all they have been through. We get to be that place where they can come for support and community while they strengthen their mind, body and spirits.”

The deadline to join is October 9, 2024.

For more information, contact:
Nicole Kettermann: Nicole.kettermann@tampaymca.org | 813.224.9622 ext. 1210.

*Presented by the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA