BEAT CANCER BOOT CAMP CHALLENGE
The second annual Beat Cancer Boot Camp Challenge 5k, sponsored by Arizona Oncology, will be held on March 20th at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park at 7:00am. This 5k obstacle course will take place along the Rillito River dirt trail and the adjacent wash. This will be a run, walk, jump or crawl activity so be ready to be challenged!
Beat Cancer Boot camp was started by founder Anita Kellman, R.T.(R)(M). This organization helps cancer survivors stay active during treatment for their illness and beyond. Studies have shown that regular exercise helps patients relieve stress and anxiety, increase immune function, as well as combat side effects such as nausea and fatigue.
The regular classes are offered three times a week at various locations, and hours change depending on the season. Anyone can join the classes regardless of his/her fitness level; all exercises can be modified and participants go at their own pace.
In addition to running the exercise classes, Kellman also holds social events, such as monthly lunches and dinners to provide the opportunity for peope to gather in a social setting to network and share stories. Scholarships for classes or socials also can be donated to those who are in financial need. The mentoring program is vital to the boot camp experience. Kellman helps to match a newly diagnosed individual with someone with a simialr diagnosis to help educate and support them informally. Buddies also play a part, and can be family members or friends.
The nonprofit Beat Cancer Boot Camp is funded in various ways through private donations, as well as some funding from Pima County Parks and Recreation. Kellman volunteers her many hours spent on Boot Camp projects, so the money raised goes directly into the programs and scholarships, and stays locally.
There will be a pre-challenge warm-up session with Stewart Smith, CSCS. He is a military fitness trainer for the FBI, SWAT, Navy SEAL's and many others. He is also an author of 40+ fitness education books.
Also in attendance for the Boot Camp Challenge will be Bernard Lagat, Olympic silver and bronze medalist and other local celebrity athletes.
All proceeds for this event go towards Beat Cancer Boot Camp.
For more information on the challenge or for the regular schedule of classes and prices, go online to www.beatcancerbootcamp.com or call (520) 546-1601.
We hope to see you there!