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Buddy Check 10: living strong with fitness classes for cancer survivors

The 12-week class allows cancer patients and survivors the opportunity to build their physical and mental health as well as work out with a community who understands.

The YMCA offers a 12-week "LiveStrong" program for people going through a cancer diagnosis or those who have survived the disease.

For those who participate in the class, it's just one foot in front of the other. For the women who completed the program in December at the Davis Y in Knoxville, not even a breast cancer diagnosis can get them down.

Linda Mongeon is a breast cancer survivor who recognized her need to add physical activity back into her life.

"It's about surviving and to me I needed to make the decisions that were the most positive for me to get through this and move past it," Mongeon admitted.

Linda Wiegand said she signed up for the class to not only increase her physical strength but her mental strength too.

"I feel sharper and ready to get up and it's just made me stronger even when I'm not here just throughout my regular daily life," Wiegand explained.

The program is free, and Vicki Karas with the YMCA says the mission is to improve strength, balance and confidence.

"What we're hoping to do is allow these people who have been diagnosed with cancer or who are going through treatment or after the treatment to get their strength back physically and mentally," Karas explained.

The community the classes create is the most invaluable part, according to Mongeon.

"To be able to work with people who know exactly, exactly what you're going through and how you feel is incredibly helpful and I think its very empowering," Mongeon gushed.

The women in the class may have walked into the class in September as strangers, but they left as friends.

If you would like to sign up for a free LiveStrong 12-week program at the Y or would like to find all the available locations and dates, click here.

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