We welcome participants of all fitness levels, and encourage everyone to participate in a safe, regular workout plan – whatever speed you choose!

The training program is reserved for cancer survivors only. But experienced runners that are not survivors are encouraged to join our team as a Volunteer Teammate!

Volunteer Teammates are running/walking partners who help us provide a community of support for survivor participants during group workouts and on race day. Volunteer Teammates under the age of 18 must have an adult guardian present.

A typical team practice will last for approximately one hour. Coaches will match Volunteer Teammates up with survivor participants to complete each practice & goal race together.

To make sure everyone is safe and ready on race day, participants must be able to attend at least 50% of the team practices during the season.

Volunteers will run at the survivor’s pace and monitor their well-being, provide pace leadership, and safely encourage them to meet their goal of crossing the finish line.

• Exercise oncology is the study and application of physical activity to prevent, manage, and improve outcomes for individuals with cancer.

• Research highlights the benefits of exercise in reducing treatment side effects, including decreased fatigue and depression, improved physical function and mental health, and an overall enhanced quality of life for patients.

AKTIV Against Cancer is a global leader in exercise oncology, founded in Norway, dedicated to integrating physical activity into cancer treatment. Through research and the implementation of AKTIV exercise programs, it has transformed the lives of thousands. As a community of patients, coaches, and volunteers, AKTIV provides a supportive environment where movement is medicine, helping individuals enjoy exercise, improve outcomes, and build lifelong fitness habits.

"Brave Like Gabe” started as a hashtag to support professional runner Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald as she sought cancer treatment while still competing at a high level. In 2018, Gabe started the Brave Like Gabe Foundation to support rare cancer research and empower all cancer survivors through physical activity. Gabe passed away in 2019 after 10 years with a rare salivary gland cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.

• Science-based exercise programs have proven to be a successful and influential way to increase survival rates and decrease the spread of cancer significantly.

• Breast cancer survivors who exercised more than 2.5 hours per week had a 60% reduction in overall mortality risk compared to inactive patients. [1]

• Colorectal cancer patients who exercised regularly had a 50% lower risk of cancer-related death compared to sedentary individuals. [2]

• Men with localized prostate cancer who exercised vigorously for three or more hours per week had a 61% lower risk of dying from the disease compared to those who exercised less than one hour per week. [3]

• A meta-analysis of 71 studies found that exercise reduces the risk of cancer-specific mortality by approximately 44% across multiple cancer types. [4]

• An emphasis on the benefits of exercise in improving patients' physical and mental health, reducing treatment side effects, and enhancing long-term outcomes, making it a critical component of comprehensive cancer care. [4]

At AKTIV, we take an individualized approach to cancer care, designing personalized exercise programs tailored to your unique journey. Using cancer-specific exercise science, we create a plan based on your diagnosis, treatment, and side effects to support your health and well-being.

An AKTIV-certified cancer exercise specialist will guide you through your personalized program and connect you with the right resources. Whether you're continuing a past routine or exercising for the first time, we tailor our approach to meet you where you are on your journey.

• We partner with your oncologist so we understand your treatment plan, sharing progression over time with your care team.

• You’ll have one-on-one sessions with your coach to share more about your needs and goals. Based on your cancer type and treatment, your coach will create a personalized fitness program and provide guidance, support, and access to all the resources you need to succeed throughout your journey.