Cycle for Strength For Strength for Life Strength for Life would like to thank Barbara Larrea and the World Gym Wantagh for organizing “Cycle for Strength” held on Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mulcahy’s, the third epic two hour event with participants invited to ride in honor of a cancer warrior. Enormous effort was put forth by 
Larrea to organize this event and by the ‘Team and Family’ of World Gym Wantagh. More than $50,000 was raised by this generous community, and the sponsors of the event. In the past three years, the Wantagh World Gym has held this event and chose Strength for Life as a beneficiary with the total raised over $110,000.
Strength for Life relies on fundraising events to provide these services and World Gym Wantagh relieved a heavy burden during these years. This year, each of the 92 riders was asked to fundraise $350 for the event and nearly all exceeded their goal. The energy at Mulcahy’s was palpable as the riders entered, claimed their bike, bought raffles and prepared for the experience. Larrea on center stage led the riders on a fantastic journey combining her heartfelt, inspiring coaching, fabulous sounds and personalized World Gym video. Add in food, libations and raffles galore. 80 baskets and 11 grand prizes. The proceeds from the raffles of $6000 was presented to a World Gym warrior fighting a recurrence but strong, beautiful, confident and riding with the rest.
Strength for Life (SFL), is a non-profit dedicated to providing free exercise programs designed to enhance the recovery process of persons with a cancer diagnosis throughout Long Island communities. Services provided include educating cancer patients, caregivers and the medical community on the benefits of incorporating exercise into the treatment regimen and its effect on reducing the risk of certain cancers and re-occurrences, along with improving bodily functional activities. Programs are conducted by certified cancer exercise specialists in a group setting and held at 11 accessible locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. Over the past seven years SFL has reached more than 1,700 patients and survivors. World Gym Wantagh hosts our classes twice a week and we are forever grateful for the beautiful room and welcoming staff. Many survivors are initially intimidated to go back into the gym environment, our intent is to empower them to embrace the “new normal” and feel confident enough to go back to their previous activities. Learning of the astronomical copays of a cancer diagnosis and how it can make it financially difficult for many to work with a personal trainer Strength for Life has tried to eliminate all the barriers – travel, equipment, cost and qualified cancer exercise specialists. We are truly blessed to have been introduced to Larrea, World Gym Wantagh and the scores of people she inspires to support our cause, Strength for Life.
