This morning, I got up to do what I do almost every Saturday morning: go for a long run. Running is an inherently selfish act; many miles are logged alone, and often take away time from family and friends. However, on this Saturday, I stepped out the door to meet some friends, acquaintances, and others that I had never met. Our run had a different purpose.

Photo from www.livestrong.com

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a friend who also runs on Saturday mornings. The email asked those receiving to run on January 16th for a less selfish purpose. It required those involved to meet and run together on Saturday, and donate 5 dollars to a program called Livestrong. I figured I could scrounge up 5 dollars and get up a little earlier to drive and meet them. So did about forty other people, gathering up a huge number for a friend and a cause.

When most people hear the term Livestrong, they immediately think of Lance Armstrong and the fight against cancer. At the Ann Arbor YMCA, the Livestrong program is for people with cancer and cancer survivors. This program, which is 12 weeks long, helps both people with cancer and survivors physically and mentally. Three trainers work with the program to help participants with strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness.

Marie Wolfgram, who has been an instructor for the class for a year now, says the experience has had a huge impact on her life. She started running in honor of them last March when she ran the Tampa marathon. “In March in my Tampa marathon, I had them [participants in the class] sign my bandana and I wore yellow. I got to the 22 mile and started struggling. I then thought of them and how strong they all are. If they can beat cancer than I can surely finish this marathon. They got me through that marathon.”

The Livestrong program at the Y is funded by grants. After that money is gone, they have to figure out how to come up with the funds to keep the program going, and it has become a not just a class, but a program that changes lives, so everyone involved wants to keep it going.

The run today gathered enough money to sponsor almost 3 people for the class. Rob, the “idea man” who thought of doing the run, said they were hoping for enough money to sponsor 1 person.

Rob also decided the route for today’s run, which was one of the hilliest long runs I’ve had in a long time-and that’s saying a lot in Ann Arbor! But as I struggled up Harvard hill near the end of the run, I realized that my struggle was nothing compared to the struggle of those diagnosed with cancer and their families.

While running can be a selfish act, involving many hours logging miles with a focus on personal success, it is nice to remember that there are those out there who are doing more than just living. They are surviving. So if for one run we can do something for the community, for those with cancer, and for ourselves, count me in. Chelsea Earls is a runner and works at Running Fit in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at chelsea.earls@gmail.com