About Us
our mission
TURNING PAIN INTO PURPOSE
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 Story: Strength for Life was founded in memory of our friend and mentor, Evelyn Knapp, who passed away from breast cancer in 2005 at the age of 40.
Evelyn was a devoted wife, mother of three young daughters, business owner, respected exercise physiologist, and friend to many.
When Evelyn was diagnosed with breast cancer, she continued exercising throughout her treatment, even at a time when many patients were advised that bed rest was best. She often said that exercise gave her “a feeling of control in an uncontrollable situation.” Inspired by her own experience, she made it her mission to help others with cancer experience the physical and emotional benefits of exercise during treatment.
Although Evelyn passed away just 18 months after her diagnosis, her vision lives on through Strength for Life.
Today, Strength for Life continues Evelyn’s legacy by empowering individuals affected by cancer to regain strength, improve their quality of life, and discover hope through the healing power of exercise.
About Us
In 2006 Co-Founders Jacqui Errico and Debbie Hughes became Certified Cancer Exercise Specialists with the plan to bring safe and effective exercise training to cancer thrivers at Evelyn’s fitness centers where they still worked. After speaking at a cancer support group on the topic they quickly realized the outrageous medical costs associated with cancer treatment left little room for a personal trainer or gym membership for the majority of those diagnosed. Recognizing that need, they decided to start a nonprofit organization so anyone with a cancer diagnosis regardless of socioeconomic status can experience the benefits of incorporating exercise into their treatment plan. In 2007 Strength For Life was officially formed and our work began!
Board of Directors
Renée Shutowich
Renée Shutowich brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the Strength For Life Board of Directors as a seasoned architectural designer, breast cancer survivor, and dedicated advocate for the organization. A Penn State graduate with years of industry experience, she applies her background in architectural design, project coordination, CADD management, and strategic planning to help support the organization’s continued growth and outreach.
Having first connected with Strength For Life as a participant, Renée experienced firsthand the transformative impact of its programs during her own cancer journey. Inspired by this she is deeply honored to give back to the community that supported and helped her regain her own strength and confidence.
Renée joined the Board to help advance Strength For Life’s mission of providing free, safe, evidence-based exercise oncology classes and wellness programs for fellow survivors and individuals living with cancer. She recently completed the American Cancer Society Leadership in Oncology Navigation Training and Credentialing Program, earning certification as a Professional Patient Navigator, further strengthening her commitment to guiding and supporting others throughout the cancer continuum. Passionate about advocacy, education, and survivorship, she is proud to use both her professional experience and personal journey to help further Strength For Life’s nearly two decades of empowering cancer survivors through movement, connection, and hope.
Kathleen J. Hennessy-Moran, Esq.
Kathy Moran has proudly served on the Strength For Life Board of Directors since 2012 and currently serves as Board Secretary. In addition to her board service, she is the organization’s Community & Partnership Director, where she works to build meaningful relationships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and supporters to help ensure that individuals impacted by cancer have access to Strength For Life’s free exercise and wellness programs.
Before joining Strength For Life full-time, Kathy spent nearly 20 years in the title insurance industry. Beginning her career as Underwriting Counsel, she went on to hold executive leadership positions, ultimately serving as Division President of Stewart Title’s New York Metro offices. She holds both a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), combining legal expertise with strategic business leadership.
After many rewarding years in the corporate world, Kathy made the decision to follow her passion for serving others by joining Strength For Life full-time. It has been the most meaningful chapter of her career. She feels incredibly fortunate to be part of an organization that changes lives every day, helping people affected by cancer regain strength, confidence, and a sense of community through movement and connection.
A lifelong believer in the power of exercise to improve quality of life, Kathy is currently completing her Polestar Pilates Reformer Teacher Certification. She looks forward to combining her passion for Pilates with Strength For Life’s mission of empowering cancer survivors and thrivers to live stronger, healthier lives.
Siobhan Hanlon, ND
Considered one of New York’s top Naturopathic doctors, Dr. Siobhan Hanlon is devoted to healing patients as a whole through a holistic approach. She continues to have great success, unifying traditional, science-based medicine with natural complimentary methodologies. Prior to earning her doctorate, Dr. Hanlon counseled troubled individuals in an intensive outpatient substance abuse program as a social worker and youth counselor. Her past credentials in mental health outreach drove her further in her study of the body’s well being, gaining her invaluable experience. She truly enjoys working with diverse adult and child conditions – both chronic and acute. Notably, by establishing a therapeutic bond with her clients, Dr. Hanlon creates a disease- prevention protocol, maintaining and optimizing health in the body. She also has a special interest in nutritional work, weight loss and metabolic disturbances including weight loss and gain, developing unique individualized plans. Dr. Hanlon graduated summa cum laude at the University of Bridgeport, School of Naturopathic Medicine and earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Stony Brook University. She successfully completed her master’s studies in nutrition at the University of Bridgeport. Additional trainings include German Biological Medicine, First Line Therapy and in the areas of core synchronism, nada protocol, homeopathy, botanical medicine and mental health counseling. She has completed clinical rotations in functional medicine, physical medicine, and immune deficiencies. She has also worked with the developmentally disabled using animal therapy. Dr Hanlon currently resides on the board of Directors for Strength For Life – Providing services and education for patients with cancer. She is a certified personal trainer with special training in cancer safety exercise. With extensive knowledge in biochemistry, Dr Hanlon has been sought out by multiple nutraceutical companies to help develop many supplement lines including Nutrafol and works closely with professional golfer Phil Mickelson on coffee additive and athletic recovery supplements.
Treisha M. Green, MBA, CILP
With more than a decade of experience leading projects across multiple industries, Treisha brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial vision, strategic thinking, and technical expertise to the Strength For Life Board of Directors. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and her ability to build strong partnerships that advance organizational goals and drive meaningful results.
Treisha’s professional expertise includes fostering cross-functional collaboration, managing complex projects, and leveraging an extensive network of professional relationships and community partnerships to create opportunities that benefit both organizations and the communities they serve.
Among her notable professional accomplishments, Treisha helped secure $3.9 million in New York State Housing funding to support critical community development initiatives. She also negotiated and executed legal agreements valued at up to $50,000, expanding access to educational resources for more than 100 students pursuing careers in medicine.
Since joining the Strength For Life Board of Directors in 2025, Treisha has contributed her project management expertise, strategic perspective, and passion for community impact in support of the organization’s mission to improve the lives of those affected by cancer.
Kim Tedesco
As a senior leader at Arrow Electronics, Kim currently serves as deputy chief transformation officer. As transformation director, she acts as the “right hand” to the CTO, coordinating program updates, processes and governance; partners cross-functionally with internal and external colleagues to manage program interdependencies; and maintains overall program backlog, resource planning, and risk mitigation. Prior to her appointment, she led sales excellence for the Americas Components region. Prior to her role in sales excellence, Kim provided critical leadership as she led the Americas Components Oracle ERP implementation for the Americas business. Through the years, she has provided program and project leadership for a number of global mergers and acquisitions.
Kim is an industry veteran with +45 years of industry experience, she began her Arrow career in 1984. Through her +40-year career with Arrow, she has held a variety of field and corporate positions of increasing responsibility in sales, product management, corporate management, marketing and business management, general management, continuous process improvement (CPI), business process outsourcing (BPO) and program management (PMO). In addition, she is an active mentor for many colleagues within Arrow.
Kim has served as a guest speaker for various Long Island-based nonprofit organizations, including the Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women, Long Island Software and Technology Network’s (LISTnet) Women in Technology special interest group, and the Chubb Institute. In 2003, she was honored with the prestigious “Annual Achievers Award” by the Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women and was inducted into the YWCA of the city of New York’s Academy of Women Leaders in 2005.
Kim serves on the board of directors for Strength For Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting men and women, who are living with cancer, reclaim their lives by providing safe and effective exercise programs free of charge and serves on the board of managers for her community.
Jacqui Errico, Co-Founder
With a foundation built on a BS in Communications from St. John’s University and a deep-rooted commitment to community service—including meaningful volunteer work in Hospice Care—a natural transition toward fitness and personal health felt like a true calling. Driven by this passion, I went back to school and earned an AAS as a Fitness Specialist from Suffolk Community College.
As life beautifully unfolds, it was during this program that I met Debra Hughes, a fellow returning student who shared my vision. After graduation, while working at the New York Sports Club, Debbie and I reconnected. With careful consideration and a shared ambition, I made the pivotal decision to join Debbie at the Personal Training Institute. It was there that our life’s work truly took on a calling of its own.
While working alongside Evelyn Knapp, the co-owner of the Personal Training Institute, our lives took an unexpected turn. Evelyn was diagnosed with cancer, a profound moment that inspired Debbie and me to deepen our expertise and become certified Cancer Exercise Specialists.
Shortly after, Debbie and I were invited to speak at a Breast Cancer Support Group. Listening to the participants, we were struck by a harsh reality: between medical treatments and mounting bills, the insurance copays these individuals faced were astronomical. Specialized personal training—something that could drastically aid their recovery—was financially entirely out of reach.
We knew we couldn’t just stand by. We immediately put a plan into motion to bridge this gap, deciding that financial limitations should never stand in the way of healing.
That determination gave birth to Strength for Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to “Fighting Cancer with Exercise.”
As we always say, “then the magic happened.” It has been a profoundly heartwarming journey ever since, and we are incredibly honored to empower individuals to reclaim their strength, health, and vitality.
Transparency
Strength For Life is committed to being the best stewards of the revenue it receives from its supporters, sponsors and partners. We are mission-driven and work tirelessly everyday to maximize our impact to inspire, empower and unite those affected by cancer.
On behalf of those served through our mission, we thank you for your trust, belief and commitment to our growth and success. 86% of every dollar raised goes directly to supporting our wellness programs for cancer patients, survivors and thrivers.
View our annual tax returns below: