Western New York Wellness “Minutes to Miles” Fundraiser Kicks off March 31st
Western New York Wellness will officially kick off the first-ever “Minutes to Miles” charity fundraiser Monday March 31st at FLEX Gym (605 Culver Road). Starting at 6:30PM members of the Western New York Wellness cancer survivor program will begin a 200 mile virtual spin tour to promote physical activity as a complement to cancer recovery.
The “Minutes to Miles” event is open to the public and will enable anybody who enjoys spin classes at their local gym to join the survivors on their virtual tour. Using the Western New York Wellness website (www.wnywp.org) anyone may sign up for a personal fitness account to log their spin minutes. Each spin minute recorded will automatically be translated into miles and plotted on a virtual ride course using Google Maps. There is no time limit on completing the tour and all spinners will have the opportunity to earn great prizes by raising donations to support the physical activity programs offered by Western New York Wellness.
Western New York Wellness is a non-profit organization which provides free physical activity opportunities for cancer survivors and their families structured around bicycling. Our membership is a network of cancer survivors who are committed to introducing survivors of all ages and all fitness levels to the benefits of physical activity. When combined with treatment programs, an active lifestyle can become a prescription for healthy living and offers cancer patients an opportunity to control a portion of their treatment. Physical activity is safe and feasible for cancer survivors and counteracts many of the negative effects of cancer (both physical and psychological). An active lifestyle also plays an important role in preventing other diseases, and may prevent the recurrence of some cancers.
Today, Western New York Wellness organizes year round wellness activities at various locations around the Rochester area. During the summer cancer survivors may participate in outdoor “survivor rides” each Monday leaving Mendon Ponds park at 6PM. Survivor rides are supervised by members of the J. W. Dundee (www. interlakescycling.com) and Preferred Care Cycling Teams (www.preferredcarecycling.com), and are designed to accommodate cancer patients beginning a physical activity program. An intermediate ride is also available for those wishing to challenge their abilities.
During the winter months cycling moves indoors with supervised SPIN classes at FLEX GYM each Monday night at 6:30PM. Cancer survivors who have enrolled in the Western New York Wellness Program will also have access to indoor cycling equipment at participating fitness centers in the Rochester area.
