Fighting Cancer with Faith, Family & Friends

When Gail Urbanski was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, she turned to her three F’s: Faith, Family and Friends.

An administrator at Salpointe Catholic High School, she got the call from her doctor while at school and it was her coworker who convinced her to go home; no need to continue her day at school. Throughout her treatment she “felt the words of encouragement from my friends both personal, at school and at the gym.”

It is those friends at Anytime Fitness, at Oracle and Magee, who recently named the exercise room in her honor, and will also be the home base for Beat Cancer Boot Camp in northwest Tucson. Launched with the room dedication to Gail, the session will be held on Saturdays from March 4 to April 24 at Immaculate Heart School, 410 E. Magee Road in Tucson.

“You do not have to be an Anytime Fitness member to join the boot camp program,” says owner Jenna Loving. Not for cancer survivors only, the community-based program and support system encourages co-survivors and family members to take part in leading an active lifestyle that includes regular exercise.

Joining in on a sample booth camp class was Dr. Rachel Swart from Arizona Oncology who encouraged everyone to “get moving” to help reduce risk factors for certain cancers. The American Cancer Society recommends about 2.5 hours of physical activity a week to lower overall cancer risk. Activity equal to walking 30 minutes a day is a great way to get started.

As Gail continues her recovery and regained her energy, she has returned to including exercise in her daily routine and looks forward to getting back into pre-cancer shape. “I am cancer free now, so time for boot camp.  I’m so appreciative of Jenna for starting the boot camp. It is a great workout and really fun. I know it’s going to help me not just physically, but also provide great emotional support as I work through my recovery.”

The Urbanski family and fitness friends will be at the March 22 Race For The Cure® and you can join the “Beat Cancer Boot Campers” team to help raise funds to assist those impacted by breast cancer. Go to www.KomenSAZ.org to register, and for more information.