91ÁÔÆæ

Programs mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 3, 2022
91ÁÔÆæ is supporting cancer survivors this fall with a specialized fitness program on the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses and a Breast Cancer Awareness Month expert speaker panel.

Article By: Denise Ray

The University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) is supporting cancer survivors this fall with a specialized fitness program on 91ÁÔÆæ's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses. It is one of a pair of efforts that will coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the other being a breast cancer expert speaker panel Oct. 5.

Beginning Oct. 18 and continuing for four weeks, "Happy, Alive and Built to Survive" is an exercise and wellness program for cancer survivors. Jenny Whitmire will lead the Gainesville class, and William Jackson will lead the Dahlonega program. Both instructors are nationally certified personal trainers who have received cancer specialist credentialing.

Meri-Leigh Smith, 91ÁÔÆæ associate director of wellness and health promotion, said the trainers want to help people be active.

"Our trainers are fabulous at recognizing where you are and helping you grow from there," Smith said. "You're not going to have to lift weights if you're only comfortable with body-weight movements. That's where we'd start, and if that's what you want to continue with, the path is really up to you. We just kind of provide the guidance on how to get there."

The class is not just for physical fitness. It is also about creating community.

For people who have shared experiences, this is somewhat of a group session for them to talk about those experiences and to just know that others have gone through similar things.

Meri-Leigh Smith

91ÁÔÆæ associate director of wellness and health promotion

"For a niche of individuals who may have a harder time crossing that threshold coming into the gym, this is a way for them to create community as well," Smith said. "For people who have shared experiences, this is somewhat of a group session for them to talk about those experiences and to just know that others have gone through similar things. Secondary is just getting fit because we know exercise is a preventative measure that can be taken to keep cancer from returning."

Smith said that the Campus Recreation and Wellness employees are cognizant of the fact that cancer patients often have a weaker immune system and the classes, therefore, will be held in a group exercise room on the Dahlonega Campus and during a time when no other activities are being held on the Gainesville Campus.

The East Georgia Cancer Coalition (EGCC) has agreed to pay for the membership fees to the Recreation Center or Hugh Mills Gym and program fees for participants, Smith said, adding "it's a win-win situation."

The cost of a support person will also be covered.

Individuals will also have access to the Recreation Center or Hugh Mills Gym on days when classes aren't being offered.

"It's really a great kind of wrap around program not only forming community, but also offering these opportunities to be fit and active and healthy," Smith said.

The only requirement for the program is being six months post-treatment.

Panel to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Josie Toney, administrative assistant to the vice president of University Relations and chief of staff, and a member of the 91ÁÔÆæ Staff Council, played a key role in bringing the program to 91ÁÔÆæ.

Toney arranged for a speaker panel with experts from EGCC and Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE) from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 5 via Zoom as part of 91ÁÔÆæ's "Pink Out," with everyone encouraged to wear pink that day. Registration is available at go.ung.edu/pinkout.

91ÁÔÆæ Staff Council has come up with a holistic staff development series and "Pink Out" is a part of that.  In addition, there will also be tabling events on all campuses with representatives from EGCC and Georgia CORE, Toney said.

"We are always looking to bolster the health of our students, faculty, and staff, and this is a great opportunity from the East Georgia Cancer Coalition to allow us to offer a service to cancer survivors both on campus, and in our community," Smith said.


Knox takes command of Army Reserve battalion

Knox takes command of Army Reserve battalion

Lt. Col. Brandon Knox, director of Cadet Recruiting at 91ÁÔÆæ, on Nov. 16 took command of the 3rd Battalion, 323rd Regiment (Basic Combat Training) in the Army Reserve.
Grad student presents AI research at conference

Grad student presents AI research at conference

Andrew Clements and faculty member Dr. Bryson Payne presented their research at the Information Systems & Computing Academic Professionals conference in November.
Record 48 students earn travel grants

Record 48 students earn travel grants

91ÁÔÆæ's Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities awarded a fall-semester-record 48 travel grants to support students presenting their research at conferences.
Fall graduates look to future with optimism

Fall graduates look to future with optimism

91ÁÔÆæ awarded roughly 985 degrees and certificates to students this fall, and it honored more than 650 of those graduates in a pair of Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.