Exercise Program Helps Cancer Patients - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Jan Callen knows what it means to be a survivor. Diagnosed with lung cancer more than a year ago, she's gone through chemotherapy and radiation. But the treatments to save her life, left her exhausted. "There were days I just really didn't want to get out of bed," she remembered. "I'm a high energy person and I couldn't stand that."

Jan is now cancer free and slowly getting back into life by exercising. She's a part of the Live Stronger, Live Smarter Cancer Exercise Program at Candler hospital. Whether she's lifting weights or walking on a treadmill, each step gives her a little more strength back. "I can walk from one end of Broughton Street and back and it's nothing. Before, just to walk a few blocks was pretty exhausting," Jan said.

Katie Britt is the program coordinator and Jan's trainer. She tailors each workout session to her patient's needs, using cardio exercise and weight training to build up their endurance and strength. "People think when you get sick that you shouldn't do anything, you should sit home and do nothing," Katie explained. "But really, the opposite is true. Because you'll feel so much better once you start getting up and moving, no matter how little it is."

Jan says the program works. It's helping her not only get her life back, but beat the disease that threatens to take it away. "It gives me the strength and the energy to fight and to keep going for my children and grandchildren, because I have a lot to live for," she smiled. "And I intend to be around for a long time."

And exercising every chance she gets.

If you're interested in joining the Live Stronger, Live Smart program, you can call the Candler Center for Well Being at 912.819.6463.

Reported by: Melanie A. Ruberti, mruberti@wtoc.com