Quick Escape 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming to a close – and YWCA Hamilton capped off the month with a morning of movement, camaraderie, and fun in support of breast cancer survivors.
Throughout October, YWCA Hamilton welcomed the community to participate in the Move More for Encore challenge – an event that encouraged participants to aim for 150 minutes of movement per week to help raise critical funds to directly support survivors of breast cancer. All of the funds raised will sustain ENCOREplus – our life-changing suite of programming in support of breast cancer survivors.
To end our active month, YWCA Hamilton’s Health & Wellness team hosted a Movement Marathon at our new Putman Family YWCA to help participants complete their 150 minutes of physical activity.
Participants spent the morning of our Movement Marathon hula dancing, doing balance exercises, line dancing, Pilates, and grooving to music – all in the company of other women who have experienced breast cancer.
“Our programs are a family – we’re like that with other as instructors, but also for our participants. Many of our Encore participants over the years have remained friends and still get together for tea and coffee,” said Anne Marie Collingwood, a member of YWCA Hamilton’s Health & Wellness team. “The camaraderie is really amazing.”
One participant was even joined by her teenage kids – both of whom came out to support their Mom in her breast cancer journey.
“It’s important to support the program – and it’s important for family to support family,” said Jennifer, a graduate of the Encore Program and Mom to Jake and Carolyn. “It’s just special. I appreciate it.”
Even though Move More for Encore is wrapping up, you can still support our programs for breast cancer survivors through the Road to Hope Marathon. A team from YWCA Hamilton will be running in the marathon in support of ENCOREPlus.
Every dollar raised goes directly to our life-saving programs, including YWCA Encore, Pilates Beyond Breast Cancer, Walk, Talk & Wander, and potential future Aqua Motion Beyond Breast Cancer. Please, donate to our Road 2 Hope Teams and help support the fierce survivors in our community!
