Thrive Cancer Fitness & WellnessThrive

Get past just surviving cancer - start thriving!

Cancer and the process of fighting it can have many effects on the body. Mercy developed Thrive to empower patients with the tools to deal with the burdens of this devastating disease.

Get more than just treatment.  Come full circle on your road to recovery with another component of Mercy's comprehensive cancer services.

Check out a recent article on Thrive in The Catholic Health World Magazine.

Mercy's Cancer Fitness & Wellness program started in 2006 as an evidence-based supportive care pilot study.  It was funded primarily by the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. In 2006, the program won Modern Healthcare Magazine's prestigious Spirit in Excellence Award.

The core component of Thrive is an eight-week exercise, nutrition and personal training program centered around the patient to improve quality of life. The program is designed to offer guidance in assisting with timely return to activities of daily living and fatigue management.

The program includes:

Nutrition - Participants meet with a board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition to discuss how a healthy diet, regular physical activity and managing weight can impact the cancer survivor.

Exercise - The exercise component is implemented by a Mercy Fitness Center Health & Fitness Coordinator. Working with this coordinator, a custom exercise program is designed based on abilities of the participant and with careful consideration of his or her treatment plan. Our exercise component will help restore energy, and our personal trainers will be there every step of the way to offer encouragement and instruction. Participants must commit to exercising three times weekly for eight weeks.

Education - Mercy staff will set-up one-on-one consultation with a clinical dietitian and if necessary, a physical and/or occupational therapist (regarding any exercise limitations). Additionally, educational sessions will be offered covering pertinent topics such as:

  • Benefits of exercise for persons with cancer
  • Diet and cancer, nutrition for the cancer survivor
  • Prevention and treatment of related conditions
  • Managing fatigue

Why participate?

To comfortably go on that outdoor walk you've been missing.  Research shows that consistent exercise with a health and fitness coordinator combined with nutrition counseling leads to overall improved fitness and decreased fatigue associated with cancer treatment.

To smile with no strings attached again.  Our comprehensive approach seeks to address the physical, spiritual and emotional challenges of fighting cancer.

Who can participate?

Participants for the wellness program need to have a diagnosis of cancer and be at least one month past treatment completion. (Exception: You may be on hormonal therapy or on certain cancer treatments like Herceptin.)

  • Any individual with a cancer diagnosis can participate
  • Physician referral required for exercise
  • Please ask how we can assist your participation in this program

For more information call (319) 221-8877.