Aug. 28--In North Carolina, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte is among the 10 selected nationwide to participate in the YMCA and Lance Armstrong Foundation's pilot program for cancer fitness classes.

Programs are being offered at two Charlotte branches -- Dowd and Lowe's -- according to Rae Bazzarre, public relations specialist with the Armstrong Foundation. At the Dowd YMCA, survivors take part in an eight-week program of cardiovascular, strengthening and relaxation exercises two days a week. The Lowes branch combines a similar Y-based program and a three-month home-based program.

The aim of the pilot project is to replicate successful approaches from the 10 YMCAs in other Ys nationwide next year. According to the Armstrong Foundation's Livestrong blog (http://livestrongblog.org), the other nine participating Ys in the pilot project are in:

--Ann Arbor, Mich. --Boise, Idaho --Clearwater/St. Petersburg, Fla. --Dallas --Louisville, Ky. --Milwaukee --Providence, R.I. --Rochester, N.Y. --Seattle

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