The Medical Center of Central Georgia’s Cancer WellFit Program Selected as Grant Candidate From the LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project
The Medical Center of Central Georgia's Cancer WellFit Program Selected as Grant Candidate From the LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project
Finalists will be determined by an online voting campaign; Funds will better the lives of people affected by cancer
MACON, GA (Thursday, March 8, 2012) – The Medical Center of Central Georgia's Cancer WellFit Program has been selected as a candidate to receive a grant for implementation of the Artists-In-Residence Program, a LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project that helps cancer survivors deal with the stress of diagnosis, treatment or recovery through artistic expression.
The Cancer WellFit Program, a 12-week oncology recovery program that uses a holistic approach and is free to any community member diagnosed with cancer, will use the grant to expand its art services beyond painting to activities like sculpting and carving.
“Art is a wonderful way for our program members to express themselves and deal with some of the stress issues that come with diagnosis, treatment or recovery,” Cancer WellFit Program Director Sandra Stone said. “So much of their days are full of appointments, tests and medicine, so this program is a good way for them to relax, and come together and make something beautiful.”
LIVESTRONG's Community Impact Project granting philosophy endorses an online voting approach, which shows broad community support and engagement, rather than merit-based grant applications. MCCG is seeking to be the top vote getter in the Southeast region. The online voting campaign ends Friday, March 23. Voters can visit http://tinyurl.com/CancerWellFitVote and take just 30 seconds to show their support.
Should it be awarded the grant, The Cancer WellFit Program will receive tools and resources from LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation established in 1997 by the cancer survivor and champion cyclist to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action against the world's leading cause of death. The foundation is now known publicly by its powerful brand and is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people around the world living with cancer today.
“We are thrilled and honored to be selected as a candidate for the Community Impact Project,” MCCG Director of Wellness Services Kevin Carter said. “We share LIVESTRONG's passion for inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer and look forward to working together to make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors and their families.”
The Cancer WellFit Program combines exercise, education, group support, and mind/body programs to help participants return to their fullest physical and emotional potentials. It is the ideal program for arts in health care because of its focus on relief from anxiety, and distraction from pain in a safe, nurturing environment. It is also ideal because of its well-documented outcomes and reputation in the community as a leader in oncology rehabilitation. The program is based at The Wellness Center, a service of MCCG.
LIVESTRONG's Community Impact Project's goal is to bring proven cancer support programs to communities across the United States. The Artist-in-Residence Program was created by The Creative Center, which has been dedicated since 1994 to bringing the arts to people with cancer and chronic illness through all stages of life as a way to help them discover their own creative resources while meeting the challenges of diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
LIVESTRONG is committed to supporting community organizations in their efforts to help cancer survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer and has invested more than $70 million in community-centered organizations.
For more information about The Medical Center of Central Georgia or The Cancer WellFit Program, visit us at www.mccg.org