Amy Kelly, co-owner of Trinity Fitness and Spa in Dulles, scrolls through members’ names on her computer screen. She points her finger to her most honored clients, the Lois members.
"She’s a Lois member. She’s a Lois member. I wonder how she’s doing," Kelly said aloud to herself. "I haven’t heard from her in awhile. I need to give her a call. See how she’s doing."
The Lois membership is named for Kelly’s mother, Lois Jancaitis, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2003.
Kelly opened Trinity Fitness and Spa, a women’s club, two years later.
When Kelly heard her mother was diagnosed with cancer, she moved from San Francisco, Calif., back to her home state of Virginia to be closer to her mother as she underwent chemotherapy. She immediately got to work at a local health club.
Kelly’s mother would come in to the health club a few times a week and walk the treadmill with a scarf wrapped around her head.
"She loved that time away from her pink chair that she used to sit on," Kelly said.
Three years later, Kelly teamed up with business partner and friend, Michelle Guenther, to open Trinity Fitness and Spa, off of Nokes Boulevard, in Dulles.
Kelly set up the Lois Membership program, which offers cancer patients a free one-year membership at the club, to honor her mother and women diagnosed with cancer.
"We want all woman to be healthy," Kelly said.
BETH HITCHINGS has been a Lois member at Trinity Fitness and Spa since November 2006, the same month she began chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Hitchings said her friend told her about the guest membership program, and so, she signed up.
"They do all of the things they can to meet the needs of women," Hitchings said. "It’s an escape for me, a place to rejuvenate, in addition to working out."
Tammy Renich, a Lois member since February 2006, said she goes to the club three times a week, to take exercise classes and walk the treadmill.
"It’s a way to keep my body active, instead of just laying on the coach," she said, "and I love going there because the people are so encouraging."
Since she first signed up there, Renich said she’s noticed an improvement in her health.
After undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, Renich said she felt like she lost every muscle in her body. So, she began working out and slowly but surely, she said she felt stronger.
Four months ago, Renich went on a trip. She said she was proud of the fact that she could carry her own suitcases through the airport.
"I was like, ‘OK, I got my muscle back,’" Renich said. "There’s an added benefit to having these women in the club. They’re inspirational," Kelly said. "Everybody’s inspiring each other."
KELLY RECEIVES countless e-mails from cancer survivors inquiring about the Lois membership. She said she has a hard time saying no to those who don’t meet the requirements for the free membership.
"It’s hard to say no. It's been weighing on me," Kelly said. "There are so many deserving individuals."
Now, Kelly and Guenther, are looking for businesses to sponsor cancer survivor gym memberships.
"There are so many business in the area," Kelly said. "The idea of finding a way to help more people, honor those women, seems so simple."