Long Island Sports Program Helps Young Cancer Survivors Get 'Back In The Game'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A program on Long Island is helping young cancer survivors regain their physical strength.

As CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez explained, kids are getting back on their feet so they can play their favorite sports again.

Jackson Amiruddin loves to run and play like most 8-year-olds.

"I like to play baseball, football, and basketball," he said.

For years, he didn't have the energy or strength to keep up because he was fighting leukemia.

But a program called 'Back In The Game' is helping Jackson and other kids battling cancer and health problems get back to participating in the sports they love.

"To help these kids recondition themselves, regain their balance, flexibility and strength," director Paul Fick explained.

Kyle Dorr competed for his school swim team before he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2014. He started Back In The Game a year ago.

"My high school swim team starts up in November," he said.

The benefits aren't just physical.

"It's building him up again. Building up his confidence again. It's showing him he's been through this but he can be normal again," Kyle's dad Robert said.

Jackson has been coming to the program since he was 3-years-old.

"I made new friends and that I get stronger every time I come," he said.

"They make it so fun. It takes their mind off treatment. It lets them focus on being a kid and being able to be other kids going through the same process," Jackson's father Shaun said.

Doctors said that exercise not only has health benefits, it pays tremendous dividends emotionally -- helping young cancer survivors to feel normal again, more like they were before they got sick.

Therapists at Back In The Game suggest parents get permission from their child's doctor before starting to exercise again.