By Katie Nelson
HIGHLINE TIMES

An aerobics class geared toward women who are in treatment for or have beaten cancer began in June at Burien’s Highline Medical Center.

The class is sponsored by Team Survivor Northwest, a nonprofit organization started in Seattle in 1995 to encourage female cancer patients and survivors to engage in regular physical activity as part of their recovery.

“This one is … for strength training and for women regaining their strength, especially after surgery [and] treatments,” said Ann Ford, the class instructor. “It gets them up and going … in a safe manner, working within their range of motion.”

Ford has been teaching classes like these for the past 13 years. She is a certified aerobics instructor and licensed yoga teacher, and has been a volunteer instructor with Team Survivor Northwest for several years. Ford also teaches a similar class at Swedish Medical Center. She said she is consistently amazed by the tenacity of cancer survivors in her classes.

“These women, they’ve kicked cancer. They’re the strongest women I’ve ever seen. For me to come in with my little aches and pains, that’s nothing compared to some of these women.

“You hear their stories about what they’ve been through, like brain cancer or they’ve had breast cancer three times over again,” Ford said. “These women are literally unstoppable, and they’re of all ages, too.”

Physical fitness classes are just some of the services Highline Medical Center offers to cancer patients, said Rebekah Bird, an oncology social worker. The hospital also offers services like counseling, massage, acupuncture and connections to resources within the community. But Bird also touted the benefits of regular exercise, especially for those affected by cancer.

“I meet with all of our new patients and inform them of the classes and programs that we have here,” she said. “There are tons of studies that are showing how important exercise is in survivorship, so we want to encourage our patients to participate in that. It’s a great way to address anxiety, to give yourself more energy for the fatigue people are feeling during treatment and then going forward into the longevity of survivorship.”

While the class is still in its infancy — Ford said three is the highest number of participants in a single class so far — the instructors and supporters hope increased marketing via Team Survivor Northwest’s website and in local areas will draw women who would benefit from the class.

The class is held each Thursday from 3-4 p.m. in the meditation room at Highline Medical Center, 16233 Sylvester Rd. S.W.

Contact Team Survivor Northwest at 206-732-8350 for further information.