Making an Impact: Spotlight on LIVESTRONG

Each year, proceeds from events and other initiatives of the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation are awarded to programs making a difference in cancer research, treatment, and prevention. In 2024, more than $300,000 was granted to eight programs, and awardees will be highlighted in this monthly email series throughout 2025.  

We are pleased to support the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County’s LIVESTRONG program with a $15,000 grant. This award helps the YMCA keep its 12-week program completely free to cancer survivors.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a 12-week program of two 75-90-minute sessions per week focused on cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance and flexibility exercises, tailored to cancer patients and survivors. 

The YMCA of Greater Waukesha County hosted their first cohort in 2017 to join the national LIVESTRONG program.  Each cohort is limited to 12 participants, and the five full-service locations of the YMCA of Waukesha County each host a cohort twice a year. 

In the first week of the program, LIVESTRONG participants each set personal goals, with progress toward their goals measured at six weeks and the conclusion of the program. Goals can be unique for cancer patients. Often, they are focused on regaining the ability to do everyday tasks, such as rebuilding strength and mobility to brush their hair after it regrows from chemotherapy.

The YMCA of Greater Waukesha’s associate director of living Chelsea Kujawa highlighted how each cohort develops into an emotional support group, bonding through the experience and often remaining connected well after the 12-week program concludes. Alumni are invited back to help with future cohorts and join the celebrations at the end of each cohort. 

LIVESTRONG is open to any cancer survivor age 18 or older that has received medical clearance from their doctor. The program is free of cost for participants and includes a three-month YMCA membership for the whole family. 

The Foundation is proud to support organizations like the YMCA of Greater Waukesha who further our mission to prevent cancer, provide the best care for those fighting it and find a cure.

How We Care: Cancer Survivor Month

June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a designation initiated “to celebrate and recognize the strength and resilience of individuals who have survived cancer.”

The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation is proud to partner with programs supporting cancer survivors, like LIVESTRONG at the YMCA and Team Phoenix at Aurora Health Care. The number of cancer survivors is expected to grow by almost 8 million people by 2040, and these support programs will be more needed in the years ahead. 

Thank you for your contributions to VLCF, which directly support our annual grants. Together, we have raised nearly $25 million since 1971 to further our mission: prevent cancer, provide the best care for those fighting it and find a cure.

Join Our New Monthly Giving Program

Join our team! We want you to be part of our NEW monthly giving program, Lombardi’s League. Invest in VLCF with a monthly contribution and improve the future of cancer care through our three pillars – PREVENT, CARE, CURE.

In appreciation of your support, the Lombardi’s League program provides special membership benefits, like discounted access to events, tours of funded programs, and unique gifts.

Membership with Lombardi’s League starts at $10 a month, and all members receive a special invitation to the annual Vince Lombardi Birthday Celebration each year on June 11 and an exclusive invitation to the grant awardee announcement celebration in December.

A Recap of June Foundation Events

The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation has had a busy month of June – celebrating the legacy of Vince Lombardi and raising support for our mission to prevent cancer, provide the best care to those fighting it and find a cure through several events.

This Sunday, June 22 is the 10th Annual Nev’s Ink Charity Bags Tournament, benefitting the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. All are welcome at the block party for face painting, bouncy houses, lunch and drinks for purchase, and to bid on the silent auction. Registration is required to enter the Bags Tournament - just $30 a player with lunch and drinks included!

The Foundation hosted our 53rd annual Lombardi Golf Classic and Gala on June 6th and 7th. Because of your support, this was a record-year for the Lombardi Golf Classic, raising more than $400,000 and ensuring more grants receive funding from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation in 2025. What an impact! Thank you! 

Thank you to Visual Image Photography who donated their services and time to capture our special moments!

On June 11th, the Foundation celebrated Vince Lombardi’s birthday with a Happy Hour at Ope Brewing Co. in West Allis. On what would have been Lombardi’s 112th birthday, we came together in celebration of his legacy and how the Lombardi spirit has carried our Foundation’s mission forward.

The Foundation visited the Medical College of Wisconsin this month to see the lab of Dr. Nikki Lytle, whose research is funded in part by a 2024 grant from VLCF, and to learn more about her work and the LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program at MCW.

 lombardifoundation.org

A registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.