Tina Campbell is known as a literal walking miracle to staff at the Plant City Y. “Before I started at the Y, when I went into stores I was using scooters to move around. I couldn’t walk. I was out of breath. I was using my cane to get around the house,” recalls Tina.

55-year-old Tina is on several medications to treat various disorders including fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease and arthritis. Her doctors also told her she had to lose weight to fix her breathing problems. That’s what brought Tina to the Plant City Y.

After months of working out her arms, back and hips, Tina notices a difference, saying “Since I started coming to the Y, I am able to walk a little bit more in the stores. I no longer have to use the scooter or cart. I walk straight to the pharmacy.”

Unfortunately, her progress was in danger of being cut short. “When she approached me and said she would have to cancel because her hours were cut at work, leaving her unable to afford her monthly fee, we sat down to look at how the Y could continue to assist her. Thanks to those who give above and beyond, we were able to find a rate that she could continue to pay, and continue on her path to a healthy life,” says Reagan Thomas, Membership Director at the Plant City Y.

Although Y employees call Tina a walking miracle, she thinks it’s the other way around. “They’re miracles. They got me down to a better rate, so I could keep coming to the gym and keep working my body,” says Tina, who goes on to say, “The Y keeps me going…gives me somewhere to go and there’s no better place to go then somewhere that’s going to help me.”

As a non-profit cause-driven organization, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA raises funds annually to provide financial assistance to people like Tina, who might not otherwise be able to afford the cost of membership and programs. If you would like to contribute to the YMCA Annual Community Support Campaign, please contact Amber Carpenter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 813-224-9622, Ext. 241.