About Us

Our Story
What we do
Why we do it

Who we are
Board of Directors

Medical Advisory Board

Our Story

Evelyn Knapp, co-founder of Personal Training Institute, spent a lifetime promoting exercise and proper nutrition to thousands. Her knowledge, motivation and dedication helped inspire countless individuals to engage in a healthier lifestyle. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Evelyn continued exercising throughout treatment. She would say it gave her a feeling of control in an uncontrollable situation. From there she made a new commitment to promote exercise for cancer patients so they, too, would experience the benefits. In 2005 Evelyn lost her battle with breast cancer. However, her mission was not lost. Strength for Life was formed in Evelyn's memory so we may continue her work and make her vision a reality.

"what ever happens if a love one goes don't let them go and always hold them in your heart" Natalie Carol Knapp


What we do

Our Mission Statement
A community exercise program in which persons with a cancer diagnosis participate in group classes designed to enhance their recovery process. Services provided will include educating cancer patients and the general public on the benefits of exercise in reducing the risk of certain cancers and improving functional activities.


Our Program

• We offer FREE exercise classes to people who are living with cancer and survivors. Each session is 8 weeks long, up to 2 days per week at various locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
• We offer FREE wellness weekends to people who are living with cancer and survivors at a local hotel with meals and accommodations included.  The weekend consists of guest speakers, up to four classes introducing different exercise modalities such us tai chi, yoga and our strength training, in addition to reiki and meditation sessions.
• Strength for Life speaks at support groups about all the benefits of physical activity in reducing the risk of cancer and enhancing recovery.

Why we do it

Breakthrough medical research has shown that regular physical activity offers enormous benefits to cancer survivors, even if it is for as little as 10 minutes per day. By exercising 3 to 5 hours a week, you can improve your odds of surviving breast cancer by as much as 50%, according to a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2005. In 2006, a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that colon cancer survivors who increased their levels of physical activity after their diagnosis reduced their odds of dying by 50% compared to survivors who remained sedentary. Exercise also improves your immune function, enhances feelings of well-being and self-confidence, revs up your energy level, increases your lean muscle mass, reduces treatment related fatigue, reduces your risk of lymphedema, and builds bone density. Every one of these health-enhancing effects has been documented in leading medical journals. The evidence continues to mount with each new study - EXERCISE IS A KEY COMPONENT in treatment and recovery for cancer patients.

The following video is a production of the Media Action Project: Hofstra produced in cooperation with

the Department of Radio/TV/Film School of Communication, Hofstra University

• Strength for Life/Hofstra University

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f89BA8-Z1wk

Who we are

Jacqui Errico
Co-founder

Jacqui has spent the last ten years in the health and fitness industry. She is certified   as a Cancer Wellness Specialist by Medical Health and Fitness; certified as a Health Fitness Instructor/Personal Fitness Trainer from Hofstra University and the Academy of Applied Personal Training Education; and received an Associate in Science as Fitness Specialist from Suffolk County Community College. Jacqui has worked as personal trainer, held fitness classes for seniors, instructed students with developmental disabilities, and performed practical instruction for new hires. In addition, her past experience includes volunteer coordinator at a Long Island hospice. Presently, Jacqui ‘s focus is to raise awareness of the importance of exercise for cancer survivor-ship and promote regular physical activity as an essential therapy for those diagnosed with cancer.

Debbie Hughes
Co-founder          

Debbie's interest in fitness and nutrition lead her to her first personal training job over 10 years ago. She became Nautilus Certified and continued her education by attending Suffolk Community College to earn her AS as Fitness Specialist. Throughout the years Debbie has worked with a variety of clients with many different needs.

She started her own company, The Fitness Club, in 2005 which provides personal training and nutritional counseling to young adults with developmental and physical limitations. Debbie is creator of Color Kids Healthy, a fun way to teach children how to make nutritional food choices while charting daily requirements. Debbie became a Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist after her mentor lost her battle with breast cancer. It has become her personal mission to promote the amazing benefits of exercise for those diagnosed with cancer and to keep the memory of her friend alive.