Finding Strength Through Community

Through the cancer support program, Angela also joined the Nourish program, learning how to eat in ways that supported her health, and a relaxation and visualization class—though relaxation didn’t come easy to her at first. "I don't relax well," she admits with a smile. "But the lady that runs it, she's amazing."

Angela’s journey took a turn for the better six months ago when she received news that she no longer needed treatments. Today, she is stepping into a new role: peer support volunteer. "I want to be there for other patients," she says. "Because I know firsthand how much these programs mean."

For Angela, having access to cancer support programs isn’t just helpful—it’s life-changing. "Some people don’t have the support of family and friends," she says. "For them, this can be the difference between life and death."

When Angela Corey was diagnosed with stage 3B lung cancer nearly three years ago, doctors told her to get her affairs in order. It was a moment that changed everything. The road ahead was uncertain, but Angela was determined to keep fighting. For two years, she endured grueling treatments, leaning on the support of family and friends. But something was missing—until she discovered the Stay Strong program.

Walking into the gym at the YMCA for the first time, Angela questioned why she was even there. "I'm not a gym person," she recalls. But with the encouragement of the program’s trainers, she found her footing. As she built strength, she also built friendships with others who truly understood what she was going through.