Free Exercise Programs Help Cancer Survivors Thrive

Cancer survivors in Buffalo now have two powerful new tools to reclaim their strength and joy after treatment.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center just launched free 12-week exercise programs designed specifically for people who've faced cancer. One option brings guided workouts straight to survivors' homes, while the other offers in-person sessions at D'Youville University's wellness center.

"Survivorship is hard," says Dr. Christina Crabtree-Ide, Director of Cancer Screening and Survivorship Outreach at Roswell Park. "Our hope is that people will walk away feeling restored, and that it will help them live a better life after cancer."

The virtual program partners with the YMCA to deliver exercise videos ranging from 20 to 60 minutes. Participants complete at least three workouts weekly and keep a physical activity journal to track their progress.

The in-person RESTORE program meets twice weekly at D'Youville's Community Health Hub. Each two-hour session combines exercise with nutrition education from physical therapists and registered dietitians.

Both programs teach alternative exercises like tai chi, yoga, and meditation alongside traditional strength training. Physical therapist Dr. Andrew Ray, who developed the programs, understands the unique challenges survivors face after treatment.

"A lot of people come to me and have lost weight and may not have the self-confidence to begin or restart exercising," Ray explains. "We know what treatment does."

The programs welcome both survivors and their caregivers who are 18 or older. The Roswell Park Alliance Foundation funds both options, meaning zero out-of-pocket costs for participants.

Why This Inspires

These programs represent something bigger than just exercise classes. They're treating the whole person, not just the disease that's gone.

By combining physical therapy with research, Roswell Park is learning how to serve future survivors even better. The team collects data on quality of life improvements, reduced fatigue, and breathlessness to continuously enhance their offerings.

The dual approach also breaks down barriers. Rural survivors who can't easily travel to Buffalo can benefit from virtual sessions, while those craving community connection can join in-person groups.

Alexandra Woodhouse, Clinical Research Coordinator, puts it perfectly: "Clinical research allows us to listen, learn, and respond to what patients need most."

Participants can start anytime and commit to 12 consecutive weeks that fit their schedule. The flexibility honors the reality that recovery doesn't follow a calendar, it follows each person's unique journey.

Life after cancer deserves to be lived fully, and these programs are helping survivors write their next chapter with strength and confidence.