Living Well After Cancer Program

Empowering Cancer Survivors

When making a donation, please click on the "Please Direct My Gift To:" drop down and select "LWAC (The Claremont Club)"

Living Well After Cancer

The Living Well After Cancer program started in 2005 at The Claremont Club in Claremont, CA. The program is specially designed to improve cancer survivors’ fitness level, quality of life and self-esteem after they have completed their treatment program. Participants meet at the Claremont Club twice per week for twelve weeks and will be exposed to a variety of exercise activities. This program is offered at no charge to cancer survivors and is funded by private donations and fundraising activities at The Claremont Club.

Participation Requirements

Commit to attending all of the 12-week classes
Have transportation to The Claremont Club
Complete required paperwork, including an exercise release from their physician
Participate with a positive attitude and with other cancer survivors in a group setting

what to expect

This program can be the beginning of your road to recovery! LWAC not only helps you gain strength but also provides a supportive community of fellow participants who understand your journey. Participants will be instructed by a certified Trainer who has also taken additional courses to assist cancer survivors. In addition to cardio and strength training, participants may experience:

Mat Pilates
Nutrition class
Yoga
Pickleball
Balance class
Aqua Fitness class
Zumba
Support group meeting

More Information

The Living Well After Cancer (LWAC) program is a 13-week program that is offered in February and September. The program is offered on Tu/Th from 11-12 noon or 6-7 pm and there is a maximum of 16 women in each group. (Depending on available resources, occasionally we may add an additional group on M/W from 11-12 noon.) The men’s program will meet on M/W and is offered from 11-12 noon or 6-7 pm depending on the availability and schedule of the participants.

Participants must have reliable transportation and be able to attend a minimum 22/24 of the sessions.

During the time you are in the program, you will be given a complimentary individual membership to the Club, and you will be able to use the facilities, attend group exercise classes, swim, play pickleball or tennis, or simply relax in one of our Jacuzzis anytime the Club is open. We want you to extend your exercise beyond the twice per week scheduled workout sessions.

Applications are accepted year round and are emailed to you after the initial screening process has been completed.

Please note: Space in any session is reserved once screening process has occurred and completed paperwork has been received and acknowledged. First come, first served.

If interested in participating or know someone who would benefit from this program, please contact us now at LWAC@claremontclub.com.

Real Stories, Remarkable Journeys - women

Since my diagnosis, LWAC has been the best thing that happened to me.

Before LWAC I was in a dark place. Lots of uncertain and unbearable thoughts clouded my mind. I walked into the first orientation not knowing exactly what to expect, but I held on to the small part of me that was still willing to fight for some type of normalcy. I’m glad I did.

I was welcomed by a community of female warriors. Women all with unique challenges of their own, ready to fight their way through it. After what felt like a lifetime of battle, I finally felt like I could let my guard down and breathe. I have shared and connected with the women in this group more than I could’ve ever imagined. I feel genuinely supported, both mentally and physically, and I am stronger for it.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. LWAC helped me see that.

Daisy OcampoSpring 2023 Graduate

The Living Well After Cancer program gave me my life! I cannot express how powerful and life changing this program is.

After my cancer treatments were completed I was physically but not emotionally healed. I felt very defeated and tired. Then I heard about the LWAC program and I felt a little hope. The first time I talked to Joy I remember telling her that I was not sure that I would be able to do the exercises or keep up. She assured me that everyone felt that way. So, I thought that I would take a risk and give myself this gift of 12 weeks and see what happened.

The first day of the program was a meeting and I almost did not walk through the door because I did not think that I could face another "hoop to jump through for my cancer" but I walked through that door and started my journey of rebirth!

Through the program I learned about my inner strength and drive. I participated in all different exercise classes and focused on what my body could do instead of what had happened because of cancer. I have regained control of my body and what it can do!

One strength of the program is the trainers. Julie and Nurys and all of the trainers encouraged us in every class! It was like having a cheer squad just for me! Another strength is the camaraderie with the other participants! It was priceless to feel like a part of a family going on this journey of rediscovery together.

My wish is that everyone would take a chance and try out this program!

Robin B.Spring 2023 LWAC Graduate

The impact of Living Well After Cancer was unexpected. I wasn't really interested in joining the group because I felt I didn't need it as much as others might. I told Joy to only include me if she had space. Lucky for me that she did.

I am surprised at how invested I became in this group and in all of the very special ladies that I met. Six of us immediately bonded and have continued to meet and take classes together. I'm so happy that they joined the club! This experience has been very rewarding on so many levels and I'm so glad that I participated.

Thank you to everyone at TCC, and outside, for all their kindness, support and hard work. Please know that it is very much appreciated!

Linda H.Spring 2023 LWAC Graduate

The Living Well After Cancer program has meant so much more to me than I imagined it would at the onset! I thought I would enjoy a free membership for a few months, perhaps meet a couple of new people, and be on my way! But the LWAC program has meant so much more to me than that! The guidance, love and support of the LWAC family came to me at just the right time, as I was nearing the end of my treatment and in need of some motivation, not just to exercise but to get back to life! My long course of treatment hijacked my identity, as I became less myself and more a patient. This program encouraged me to get back to me--reminded me to enjoy life. The friendships and support this program has brought me has truly been life changing and I will be forever grateful!

Terri M.Spring 2023 LWAC Graduate

At the LWAC Orientation meeting, I remember feeling very hesitant about starting the program. I felt like my body had deceived me and abandoned me by getting cancer and I did not know what, or if, it was capable of meaningful exercise. I had joint and muscle pain when doing simple tasks from the medication I was taking, so the thought of doing exercises was unimaginable. I soon found out I was wrong. It was different and harder than my “pre-cancer” body, but I improved so much during the 12 weeks that I surprised myself. I felt safe and motivated working out with other women that had similar experiences and some that had far worse diagnosis than I did. I was motivated and encouraged to keep moving and everyone was so encouraging and supportive. I have been eternally grateful for the LWAC program at the Claremont Club and since then I have been helping other cancer survivors reap the benefits of the LWAC program.

Joy P.Fall 2013 Graduate

Real Stories, Remarkable Journeys - men

I joined TCC after the pandemic and I noticed there was information posted about the Living Well After Cancer program, but I didn’t pay much attention to it other than thinking, “What a great program for someone dealing with cancer and the aftermath.” Little did I know at that time, three years later I would be joining the 1 out of 7 men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer.

On Super Bowl Sunday in 2024, a friend of mine who is a retired physician reviewed my MRI results and told me I had prostate cancer. It is hard to put into words the feelings I had after hearing the diagnosis. After meeting with a surgical oncologist several times, I had a biopsy confirming prostate cancer.

After six weeks of recovering, I decided to inquire about the Living Well After Cancer Program. It provides physical training to gain back confidence, dignity and fitness. It has been nothing short of a blessing! The program has changed my whole outlook on life.

I am not a cancer victim; I’m a proud cancer survivor. I was part of a 4-man training group dealing with various types of cancer. We met twice a week for 3 months. During this time, our group bonded and became friends, rooting each other on through the good days and not so good days. This camaraderie is the biggest take away for me. Many men don’t feel comfortable talking about their struggles, but I found it was very helpful to have friends to share what was going on with my cancer journey in between our various workout sessions.

I can’t speak highly enough about the program and I would highly encourage everyone to take advantage of it. It can definitely change your outlook, help you feel better and live a better life.

Phil GossFall 2024 Graduate

I started the program during a very difficult time in my life. My mother went from skilled nursing to hospice and eventually passed away all at the start of my time in the LWAC program. I was reluctant to spend time away, but soon found it was the sanctuary I desperately needed.

For me, my trainer, Ronnie, was absolutely the best part of the program, and that’s saying something because everyone I came into contact with at The Claremont Club were all wonderful, caring human beings. Ronnie understood I was a bag of broken pieces, and he very meticulously put me back together again.

The joy of a variety of activities, so much input, and so many disciplines to participate in, made the experience fun and challenging. I did things I’ve never done, EVER! Boxing, squash, aqua-fit. I learned that I could, at my age, pick up new things and enjoy them, not to mention the benefits of exercise and the camaraderie of my teammates. I gained three best friends: Bob, Dave and Ronnie, and much needed results in the win column. The confidence I gained to now walk into any gym and know how to work the machines is priceless.

I would absolutely recommend the LWAC program to others (and have done so several times since finishing the course!) I know a lot of men aren’t comfortable asking or searching out helping hands but I feel secure in saying it would be the best decision they could make.

Kurt RossSpring 2025 LWAC Graduate

Empowering Cancer Survivors

When making a donation, please click on the "Please Direct My Gift To:" drop down and select "LWAC (The Claremont Club)"