CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is just around the corner and for this Giving Grace, we feature an organization offering help for those affected by the disease.
Victims of breast cancer can find care and support with the After Breast Cancer (ABC) program of the Clarksville Area YMCA. Tammy Thrash is the Program Coordinator/Pink Ribbon Trainer for what’s commonly known as the ABC program.
“We are a program that helps ladies find their new normal after treatment. We bring them in here, it’s a free program, 16 weeks long, and we work on physical recovery, emotional recovery, and spiritual recovery,” said Thrash.
Thrash added that she joined the ABC program as a participant, and it touched her so much she wanted to be a part of the other side and help survivors.
Any survivor of breast cancer is eligible for the program and Thrash added that you don’t have to be a member of the YMCA, but for the 16 weeks you are in the ABC program you are a full-fledged member of the “Y” with access to all of the other programs offered by the organization.
That includes the Pink Ribbon Trainers, the lymphedema specialist and a registered dietitian at Tennova Healthcare Clarksville. After survivors have graduated the ABC program, they can still be a part of the monthly meetings featuring seminars and other important breast cancer survivor information.
It doesn’t matter if you are a survivor for a week or for 15 years, Thrash says all survivors are eligible to join the program.
When it comes to family members of survivors, Thrash said they can help as volunteers for fundraisers and in the future a program for family members could be a possibility but for now she encouraged families to support their family members who are breast cancer survivors.
The 9th Annual Tickle Me Pink luncheon is a fundraiser for the ABC Program set for Thursday, October 10 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. There will be shopping with amazing vendors starting at 11:00 with lunch and the program at noon.
Tickets are $40 with all proceeds supporting the After Breast Cancer program at the YMCA. For tickets or for more information contact Thrash or visit the Clarksville YMCA facebook page.
To learn more about the YMCA After Breast Cancer program visit www.ymcamidtn.org/clarksville, email tthrash@ymcamidtn.org or call 931-647-2376 Ext. 71731 or stop by the “Y” at 260 Hillcrest Drive.
