Smithfield Woman Fighting Cancer With Attitude and Exercise

Smithfield's Lori Canavaran, Anytime Fitness's Member of the Month, fighting cancer for the second time, has kept up her exercise regimen and her positive attitude.

"She has such a contagious personality," said Clara Brown, manager at Anytime Fitness. Brown said she chose Canavaran as this month's member of the month to honor her bravery and spirit. "This month, we celebrate Lori for her determination and strength. We support her in the fight. We admire her for her spirit," Brown wrote.

Lori started with AF Smitty in August 2012. In the beginning, her outlook on fitness and nutrition was positive, which hasn't changed a bit. She had just hit her five year mark after treatment following a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2007. 

Lori had a double mastectomy, and a hysterectomy, and showed up at Anytime Fitness dedicated to her health in 2012. Lori was in the gym about five times a week and feeling great. 

But in June 2013, Canavaran found out the cancer was back. The last time, she was at Stage 3. This time it's Stage 4. "I'm no longer curable. I'm just treatable," Canavaran said. Ever the fighter, Smithfield's Lori Canavaran, Anytime Fitness's Member of the Month, fighting cancer for the second time, has kept up her exercise regimen and her positive attitude.

"She has such a contagious personality," said Clara Brown, manager at Anytime Fitness. Brown said she chose Canavaran as this month's member of the month to honor her bravery and spirit. "This month, we celebrate Lori for her determination and strength. We support her in the fight. We admire her for her spirit," Brown wrote.

Lori started with AF Smitty in August 2012. In the beginning, her outlook on fitness and nutrition was positive, which hasn't changed a bit. She had just hit her five year mark after treatment following a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2007. 

Lori had a double mastectomy, and a hysterectomy, and showed up at Anytime Fitness dedicated to her health in 2012. Lori was in the gym about five times a week and feeling great. 

But in June 2013, Canavaran found out the cancer was back. The last time, she was at Stage 3. This time it's Stage 4. "I'm no longer curable. I'm just treatable," Canavaran said.

Ever the fighter, Canavaran said she's still positive about her future. "It's going to be part of my regiment till the end of my life," Canavaran said. Her doctor hasn't given her a set amount of time, she said. Even if he had, she said she wouldn't pay attention to it.

Staying positive and fighting the cancer means keeping up on her exercise, Canavaran said. "It just gives me more energy. It makes me more positive," she said. 

Canavaran is a proud mother of two - her son, 24 a graduate of Hofstra is a financial analyst, and her daughter, 22, a graduate of U. Miami, is studying at Texas A&M for her masters in Human Resources and Management. She expects to be spending years with them. "I'm very positive about it," Canavaran said.

Anytime Fitness posed a few questions for Canavaran in honor of her Member of the Month status: 

What was the first thing that went through your head when you found out that the cancer was back?

"Cancer is not gonna get me - I'm gonna beat it." 

For other members who are going through the fight, or know someone who is, do you have any words of wisdom?

"You have to be positive, you have to enjoy every day, and you have to love everyday. Just keep going." 

 Do you think that being active helps you in the fight? How?

"Definitely because it keeps you in good shape and gives you stamina. You have to exercise." 

 What's your favorite thing to do in the gym?