TWO NEWC A S TLE WOMEN, AMY R OBER T SON AND JO GAR TENBER G, FIND S TRENG TH AND EMPOWERMENT IN THEIR C ANCER DIA GNO SIS THR OUGH TEAM SUR VIV OR NOR THWE S T . “I felt like I had cancer behind closed doors because of COVID,” Robertson says. In addition to chemo, radiation, and a mastectomy, Robertson also developed heart failure. A former collegiate athlete, she felt beaten down by her inability to walk without fatigue. That’s when her oncologist encouraged her to join Team Survivor, which was hosting online fitness classes in the wake of the pandemic. 1 / Newcastle resident Amy Robertson hiking this summer. 2 / Executive Director Jennefer Boyer 3 / Jo Gartenberg, Newcastle resident and TSNW Board Member “The first class I took was so hard, but Toshiko (the instructor) was so supportive and kind. Heart failure made it difficult to do anything, but I kept going and continued to get stronger,” Robertson says. “I thought it would be sign on, exercise, and leave, but it’s so much more than that. As I got more involved in more exercise classes I felt better. I realized I wasn’t alone.” Newcastle resident Jo Gartenberg is not only a member of Team Survivor, but she also serves on the Board of Directors. After her breast cancer diagnosis in 2017, she began taking fitness classes, and ultimately summitted Mount Adams with the Team Survivor Mountain Climbing Program. Gartenberg says she believes it is the strength and resolve of Team Survivor’s membership that makes the organization so empowering. “Everyone has the same goal of wanting to be healthy and to feel like this disease didn’t define them. Team 1 2 3 Triathalon Training with Team Survivor
14 Publizr Home