Michael’s Run for the Cancer Survivor Program

UPDATE: 

He did it!! We would like to congratulate Michael, not only for completing a distance of 42.2km but for raising a total of $6,020 for such a worthy cause! Well done Michael!

"Job done, $6020 raised. Hardest thing I've ever done" - Michael

Y veteran Michael Tsiamis (pronounced char-miss) will be running for a cause when he takes part in this year’s Gold Coast Marathon. He won’t only have the challenge of completing a distance of 42.2km, but he has also set the goal of raising $10,000 for charity!

For over 25 years, Michael has been a part of the Y family and he is currently the Group Manager for Fitness and Recreation at Y Brisbane. Michael says that one his proudest achievements at Y Bris is launching the Cancer Survivor Program with his team in 2016.

The Cancer Survivor Program aims to empower cancer survivors to improve functional capacity and to increase their quality of life through an organised program of fitness and strength. It is a free 12-week exercise program dedicated to cancer survivors.

Michael is one of many people around the world who was affected by cancer when his father passed away from the disease some years ago. And since the funding for the Cancer Survivor Program is limited, Michael decided that he’d lace up to raise some funds of his own.

Since 2016, Y Brisbane has helped over 600 survivors through their program at a cost to the Y of over $246,000. If Michael reaches his goal of $10,000, there will be enough funds to support 100 survivors through the program with the added bonus of honouring his dad too.

The training so far has been quite intense for Michael who trains rain, hail or shine. He says that he has never been much of a runner, but has gone all in. He says, “I know that whatever pain I go through, it's nothing compared to what my dad and people living with cancer go through each and every day”.

The Y Merchandise team is proud to be supporting Michael and wish him all the best for his heroic effort. If you would like to support Michael too, please click here.

You can also learn more about the Cancer Survivor Program at: https://www.ymcabrisbane.org/services/cancer-survivors