About Us
About Us
Our Vision
Team Survivor Northwest envisions a world where every woman who has had a cancer diagnosis has the resources and support to return to her best physical and emotional well-being.
Our Mission
To empower all women who have faced cancer to thrive through movement and community.
Our Values
Inclusion
We lead with equity and belonging
Strength
We grow stronger, inside and out
Positivity
We move together with joy
Who We Serve
Life after cancer can bring lasting physical, emotional, and social challenges.
In the Pacific Northwest, many women navigate survivorship without the support they need to truly thrive.
More than 12,100 women are diagnosed annually in Puget Sound—and that number continues to grow, particularly among younger women. Disparities are significant, with underserved communities experiencing poorer outcomes and fewer resources. Expanding equitable access to survivorship support is essential.
Team Survivor Northwest creates a welcoming, women-centered environment where survivors feel safe returning to movement and community alongside others who understand their experience. Our programs are designed not to be exclusive, but to foster comfort, confidence, and belonging during recovery.
What We Do
We help women reclaim strength, confidence, and community through welcoming, evidence-informed fitness programs designed for every stage of survivorship.
Our approach prioritizes:
- Cancer-certified instructors trained in survivorship and exercise safety
- Multiple class intensity levels and formats to meet a wide range of abilities and diagnoses
- Four pillars of exercise—strength, cardio, flexibility, and balance—supporting whole-body health and long-term function
- Safety-first instruction focused on building confidence and preventing injury
- Free membership and low-cost programs to ensure access and equity
Why It Matters
The evidence is clear: physical activity plays a powerful role in cancer survivorship.
An analysis of randomized trials found that exercise reduced cancer recurrence by about 48% and mortality by about 24% among cancer survivors.1
Yet many survivors are not able to access or maintain regular activity. Research shows that only 14% of women cancer survivors meet national physical activity guidelines. 2
Exercise during and after treatment has been shown to3:
- Reduces cancer-related fatigue
- Improves anxiety and depressive symptoms
- Improves physical functioning
- Enhances health-related quality of life
For thousands of women, Team Survivor Northwest helps close that gap—turning evidence into action and helping survivors feel stronger, healthier, and less alone.
“Engaging in regular physical activity is the single most valuable thing a cancer survivor can do to rebuild both physical and emotional strength.”
- Dr. Julie Gralow
Our History
Founded in 1995, Team Survivor Northwest began when a group of women cancer survivors in Seattle trained together for a triathlon with the support of local oncologist Dr. Julie Gralow. Inspired by their determination—and by the profound physical and emotional benefits of exercise—Dr. Gralow partnered with fitness and therapeutic exercise specialist Lisa Talbott to formally establish Team Survivor.
What started as a small training group grew into a vibrant organization grounded in a simple belief: regular physical activity and supportive community are essential to recovery.
Today, Team Survivor Northwest offers inclusive, year-round programs that support women at every stage of survivorship.
Survivor Stories
Get Involved
Together, we’re redefining what thriving after cancer looks like.
Move, connect, and thrive with women who understand your journey.
Volunteer your time or expertise. Share your skills and make a lasting impact.
Help us provide programs and community to every woman who needs it.
Connect your patients to safe, supportive movement and community during and after cancer.
Your involvement ensures that all women who have faced cancer
can access movement, community, and hope.