About Pink Ribbon Program
OFFERING STRENGTH, SELF-ESTEEM AND QUALITY OF LIFE
TO BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS
Background
Doreen Puglisi is the founder and program director for The Pink Ribbon Program. She opened her first facility in 1998 and her second in 2002. As an exercise physiologist, Doreen is dedicated to quality Pilates instruction as well as design and implementation of speciality programs for clients with specific medical limitations. While working with patients who were breast cancer survivors, Doreen saw a need to design a specific post-operative program for those survivors. Hence, The Pink Ribbon Program was created. This need became even more apparent to Doreen when she, herself, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a total mastectomy. The pain associated with the surgery as well as the loss of mobility in her affected arm was not something she was prepared for. After her surgery, no formal physical therapy was prescribed. Doreen was able to use her Pin Ribbon Program to regain the range of motion was well as strength in her affected arm. This personal experience has helped Doreen to truly understand and reshape The Pink Ribbon Program and the need to reach all breast cancer survivors.
Doreen’s credentials include a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science, BA from Seton Hall University, A Fitness Leader Certification and she is a Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist. She is also the Chairperson of the Health Education and Exercise Science Department at County College of Morris, Randolph, NJ.
Benefits
Exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing after breast cancer surgery. You’re probably exhausted, your arm may be painful and swollen, and the adjuvant treatments can make you feel even worse. All you want to do is rest. In the past, that’s exactly what doctors recommended. However, recent studies indicate a link between moderate physical exercise and improved quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
We are dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle and positive body image to all breast cancer survivors. The Pink Ribbon Program will help stretch and strengthen the shoulder, chest, back and abdominal muscles, allowing women to regain full range of motion to those areas affected by breast cancer surgery. This program is suitable whether your surgery was recent or several years ago and accommodates all fitness levels.
Some of the benefits of The Pink Ribbon Program are:
- Reduces feelings of depression
- Improves self confidence and control
- Helps regain strength and mobility in affected shoulder and arm
- Enhances energy levels
- Helps to control weight
- Improves sleep
- Alleviates fatigue
- Decreases stress and tension
- Enhances physical and mental well-being
What is a Post-Rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist?
The Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist (BCES) is a professional qualified to assess, design and implement individual and group exercise and fitness programs for those diagnosed with cancer. The BCES is skilled in evaluating health behaviors and risk factors, conducting fitness assessments, writing appropriate exercise recommendations and motivating individuals to modify negative health habits and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors for health promotion. The BCES will have a complete understanding of the entire cancer process from diagnosis to treatment, recovery, prevention of lymph-edema, and contraindications.