Anchorage Young Cancer Coalition

05/13/2026

LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is an evidence-based program that helps adult cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being following a cancer diagnosis.

Details about the program:
A small-group, physical activity and well-being program.
Meets twice a week for 12-weeks for 90-minutes each session.
Improve your strength and physical fitness.
Diminish the severity of therapy side effects.
Develop supportive relationships.
Improve your quality of life.
Guidance through the use of fitness equipment.
Take charge of your health through fitness.
Introduction to many different forms of fitness.
Be empowered and encouraged to continue managing your well-being through fitness going forward.

Eligibility for enrollment:
Has received a cancer diagnosis.

Next Session:
Sept. 15, 2026, ending Dec. 10, 2026.
Meeting 2 times a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-2:30 PM, at the Lake Otis YMCA.
We currently do not have a weekend or evening class available.
Participants need to commit to the full 12 weeks.
Due to the generosity of donors and grants, enrollment is FREE for members!
Participants will be given a complimentary 3-month membership to the YMCA of Alaska for full use!

Contact [email protected]

05/11/2026

Amazing humans!!! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Trent Waldron Run supports us by donating proceeds to our group to help cover the costs - because we believe that all cancer club members deserve support regardless of their financial situation and this is how we make that possible.

They need help for this year's race at the aid stations. If you want to help hand out water and gatorade to the runners and walkers and cheer them on as they go by then please let me know. It's super fun if you get into it especially for kids and bring some music to play or some cow bells to shake or some sidewalk chalk to write inspiring messages on the ground. It's a fun task for a group of people to do together - families, friends, girl scouts, people that need volunteer hours, etc. If you know anyone that might be interested and available please let me know. Saturday May, 23rd from 8:15am - 12:15pm

Email [email protected]

04/30/2026

Hot off the press - AYCC May Newsletter!!!

Welcome to May just around the corner. This last week I was in Washington DC for the National Breast Cancer Coalition summit and it was amazing. I got to meet Dr. Dennis Slamon who literally took the most deadly form of breast cancer (HER2+) and turned it into the most treatable form by fighting har...

04/18/2026

Free webinar:
It’s OK To Ask: Breast Cancer and Breaking Taboos
Date & Time
May 12, 2026 12:30 PM in Alaska
Description
Think back to a time in your doctor’s office when you really wanted to ask a question — but didn’t.

Maybe you built up the courage and then changed your mind because it felt insignificant or you didn’t want to feel judged or be a burden. There are a lot of valid reasons why people hold back on asking for what they need.

We want you to know: It’s OK to ask.

Join us for a supportive webinar where you’ll get clarity on issues people are often hesitant to bring up to their doctor. We’ll also talk about how to get the information you’re looking for at future doctor appointments.

This webinar is for anyone who is newly diagnosed, currently in treatment, navigating life after treatment, or living with metastatic breast cancer.

Topics include: Sexual health and intimacy, body image, mental health, relationships, understanding complementary therapies, managing long-term side effects, financial strain, getting a second opinion or switching to a new doctor.

The featured speakers are Jessica Kreitman, LCSW, OSW-C, Sameena Rahman, MD, FACOG, MSCP, IF, Eleonora Teplinsky, MD, and Marisa Weiss, MD.

When you sign up, let us know your questions for the experts and we’ll include as many as possible in the webinar. Everyone who registers will receive the event recording.

Thank you to Pfizer for making this program possible.

Think back to a time in your doctor’s office when you really wanted to ask a question — but didn’t. Maybe you built up the courage and then changed your mind because it felt insignificant or you didn’t want to feel judged or be a burden. There are a lot of valid reasons why people hold back ...

01/29/2026

Next LIVESTRONG at the YMCA cohort:

Begins Fed. 3 and spots available.

Contact:

YMCA Livestrong, Andrea Arts
[email protected]

A 12-week fitness program meets 2x/week for 90-minutes each
Includes cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance and flexibility training
pre and post evaluations
improve energy and self-esteem, build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance
reduce severity of therapy side effects develop ongoing fitness routine to keep practicing a healthy lifestyle.

01/29/2026

Check out the AYCC February Newsletter!

We had two new attendees to our group at the escape room last weekend and both lamented that none of their medical providers had mentioned our support group to them as they were going through treatment and they would have found it helpful.

01/23/2026

Come support us!

12/05/2025

Monica was an active member of our group and a wonderfully kind human being. I was genuinely shocked to hear this news because she had not shared that her cancer had spread and we were texting 2 days before. It’s a huge loss for our community and her husband and two kids. Ugh, I truly hate posting this and I really hate cancer and the unfairness of all of it. I am so grateful for getting to meet her through this group.

12/05/2025

One of our amazing Alaskan gynecologic oncologists, Dr. Melissa Hardesty, was interviewed for the Teal Talk podcast about exciting new blood testing that could transform ovarian cancer detection.
Link below to listen🎙️

https://ovarian.org/teal-talk-behind-the-science-how-blood-tests-could-transform-ovarian-cancer-detection/

10/22/2025

Check out our November and December Events calendar here:

Lots of events coming up in the next few months - check out our calendar below. Because we have a busy November and December and events the first weekend, we will not be meeting during the first Sunday of the month for our “Young Cancer Sucks But at Least I Met You”.