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Margaret Jensen, a breast cancer survivor, attends Jazzercise class twice a week at the JFC Brunssum gym and walks 60 minutes a day for exercise. During her cancer treatments, Margaret experienced periods of fatigue, but with a gradual exercise routine, her stamina slowly returned.
“Exercise improves your outlook, allows you time to think of something other than your illness and gives you the strength to continue the journey towards full recovery,” Jensen said.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that 2.5 million women are breast cancer survivors like Jensen. While side effects from cancer treatments can last for years, data shows that exercise produces many positive physiological and psychological effects for cancer survivors.
That’s why the JFC Jazzercize class teamed up in May with “Back in the Swing,” a U.S. charity dedicated to supporting breast cancer survivors. Shannon Appelhans, a certified Jazzercise instructor who teaches the 9:30 a.m. Jazzercise class every Tuesday and Friday at the JFC gym, taught a special class May 26 to raise money for “Back in the Swing.” The one-hour class raised nearly $200 for breast cancer survivors.
Even individuals who were unable to attend the fundraising event donated money, according to Appelhans. “That’s how great this small community is…people hear of a fundraising event, and despite their inability to attend, they still want to help,” she exclaimed.
Appelhans encourages women to make time for exercise. “You deserve it,” Appelhans insisted. “Exercise increases your all-around energy level. Jazzercise isn’t about whether you can dance; it’s about having fun while at the same time getting fit,” she said.
