ALAMOSA — The Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship Program at Adams State University (ASU) stands out with its unique commitment to the well-being of cancer survivors in the San Luis Valley. It offers a personalized exercise program in a supportive group setting, a feature that distinguishes it from other programs. 

This program, which meets three times per week for 10 weeks, is open to any cancer survivor, including those currently undergoing treatment who are over 18 years old. Currently, the fall semester cohort is in the exercise program and the next group will begin in February. 

Peggy Johnson, a retired Instructor with the ASU Kinesiology Department, said the program is the beneficiary of the Larry Holder Golf Tournament and the SLV Health Foundation. Earlier this year, the golf tournament raised $25,000. Johnson expressed her gratitude to the foundation, and the Alamosa Family Recreation Center for making the facility available for the classes. 

The program is a research study that quantitatively measures exercise's positive impacts on those in the program. The exercise gathering is a place where participants can work toward their personal fitness goals in a non-judgmental setting while enjoying a support network of fellow cancer survivors. The program also gives Adams State undergraduate and graduate kinesiology students experience in fitness testing and guiding and supporting program participants throughout the exercise program. 

"What this study is doing is checking to see if the order of concurrent training, which is a combination of aerobic and resistance in one exercise class, makes any difference in the benefits that our participants gain regarding cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, and well-being— quality of life," said Johnson. 

ASU graduate students Alexandria Miles and Cael Figueroa, who facilitate the exercise classes and the study, emphasize the community the program fosters. Miles notes, "These classes provide a sense of community. Many in the class see each other several times a week, which keeps them coming back. This is not just about exercise and promoting health and wellness, but also about the social aspect. Having a community and someone who can relate to what they have been through, especially those who are still going through treatment, gives them someone to talk to." 

Koy Stocking, a 91-year-old and participant since 2018, is a testament to the program's success. He remains active and often bakes cookies for the group, a clear sign of his health and well-being.  

Margie Wagoner of La Jara said, "Along with the health benefits of exercise, I think the community and camaraderie is just as important.” 

Mandy Pittman of Alamosa said she began with the group after reading an article about it in the Valley Courier and was impressed with Koy's dedication, " I thought if there is a guy who is 90 and doing this, I can probably do it. I started doing the program back in January. This group is great, and it has a set schedule. They [the facilitators tell us what exercises to do, and I don't have to make any decisions. This has been really good and has helped me keep my health in check. To be around other survivors is always helpful. I am really grateful this is free, and we get to come here and be together and hopefully keep cancer away."  

Dolores Sanchez learned about the program from her sister, Jessie, who was in the group. She said, " My cancer has been reset, and I'm recovering from my surgery, and I'm still having all the effects from my chemo. I love this, and I'm really glad I joined. I would just be sitting at home. This is a great program for those who have had cancer; it gets us out of the house. This has made me stronger. I recommend this class to others." 

Suzanne Shriber of Alamosa has been a participant for three years and said, "I look forward to the classes. I'm 86 years old, and this has been a great boost for me. The courage that is here is wonderful. The way the program is conducted, and congratulations to Adams State University for providing them, and I am really happy with this." 

Rose Martinez of Alamosa, a long-time participant, shares her experience, saying, "I've been in the program for several semesters, and I feel it helps keep me moving. I will be 82 in December, and I'm still going. I had breast cancer in 1990, and it was very hard to diagnose. I went to a gynecologist in Albuquerque, and he said, 'This is just your hormones doing stuff,’ and I went on taking ibuprofen for it. I finally came to another doctor here in Alamosa; he had the smarts to do an ultrasound. He sent me to an oncologist in Denver, I had surgery and chemo, radiation. I'm still here. This program is worthwhile; it keeps your body moving. I highly recommend it. There is camaraderie. We get to know a lot of people here. There is that common thread, cancer. "Martinez added, "I'm looking forward to coming during the break. If they get us together, we will come and keep our bodies moving."  

Increasingly, exercise is shown to be beneficial to cancer survivors. In a 2023 study conducted by Dr. Lee Jones with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, “Regular exercise during cancer treatment appears to act like a good double whammy. It reduces the risk of dying from certain cancers. And the ‘side effect’ of exercise is actual helpful because it reduces the risk of dying from causes other than cancer, such as heart disease.” 

In January, Adams State University will invite cancer survivors to participate in the next cohort to participate in the Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship Program. The exercise classes meet three times a week for ten weeks. Participants are requested to commit to the class schedule and its length as part of a group study.