The Wellness Gym Otago opened on Saturday at its new venue at 59 Victoria Rd, St Kilda, after a successful revival campaign.
It is a successor to the ExPinkt exercise training programme provided through the University of Otago, which closed down in December 2021.
Mrs Campbell was one of the hundreds of predominantly breast cancer patients who had benefited from the programme until it stopped due to the retirement of founder Dr Lynnette Jones and a lack of university funds.
On Saturday, she was among a crowd of people celebrating the launch of the new community-based gym overseen once more by Dr Jones.
While the gym sought funds and a new location last year, she took part it its weekly virtual gym classes from home.
However, she was most looking forward to the feeling of community that came with exercising alongside others.
"Everybody talks about their experiences. You’re with like-minded people."
The exercise was also an important factor. Workouts had previously ranged from exercise bikes and treadmills to rowing machines and weights, all monitored to ensure they were being used correctly and at the right intensity.
It gave people a sense of confidence and made them feel normal despite what they were dealing with, she said.
Dr Jones established ExPinkt in 2009, linking scientific theory with practice to provide a safe and effective programme for those impacted by the disease.
Unwilling to abandon the programme, she and a group of supporters teamed to establish The Wellness Gym Otago, now helping those impacted by all types of cancer.
The Dunedin City Council provided support and made upgrades to the new site, and a Givealittle page had raised more than $12,000.
Fundraising efforts were ongoing, and people could donate at https://givealittle.co.nz/org/remarkable-cancer-gym-charitable-trust.
They were also eager to hear from anyone who could help to fit out the gym by donating surplus equipment in good condition.
The Covid-19 pandemic had delayed plans to reopen the gym, and last year Dr Jones began seeing new clients in private clinic rooms in Dunedin.
It would be "amazing" for them to be able to train together at the new venue.
"The community is such an important aspect of what makes the gym so invaluable," she said.
Clients who had previously attended could return, and new referrals from Te Whatu Ora Southern would also be accepted.
The gym would also accept self-referrals by survivors no more than two years after completing their active treatment, except hormone treatment.
A not-for-profit organisation, it would charge a small fee per session for clients attending group training.
The Wellness Gym Otago also aimed to support those in other parts of the region.
