How can you "party" in a healthy way to help "fight" a serious disease? The answer is at the "Party in Pink" Zumba Fitness Event on Saturday, Oct. 23.
We often hear, "Everyone knows someone whose life is touched by cancer." Breast cancer affects many women and even men. It then seems "fitting" to utilize Zumba Fitness, very popular to millions of women and some men, to benefit efforts to combat this prevalent disease.
Based on Latin rhythms, this form of "exercise in disguise" provides an enjoyable, easy to follow way for people to dance their way toward their fitness goals. Zumba Fitness has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to create "Party in Pink." These dance exercise parties raise funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Licensed and certified Zumba Fitness instructors apply to host these events in the hope to bring the community together for this worthy cause.
Cancer hits home
My mother-in-law Millie LaMoure has been fighting breast cancer for three and a-half years. Diagnosed through a small lump detected during a mammogram, Millie endured treatments. About a year ago, she was cancer free, but the cancer has returned. My mother-in-law handles not only the costs and pain of treatments but a general decline in her health. She can’t even drive, due to neuropathy in her feet and legs. Millie has kept a journal of all her doctor visits, treatments and outcomes. Some of her friends, affected by this disease, keep records of their thoughts and feelings as well.
Millie appreciates local fundraising efforts that have helped with transportation costs, medical bills and especially prescriptions. Through my work, I have met many women and some men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or who are breast cancer survivors. Stories of endless trips to teams of doctors, pain, fatigue, fear, hope and recovery personalize this cause for me.
The national movement
The Susan G. Komen national foundation provides links to local affiliates, including one in the Puget Sound area. Find information about local grants including Family Planning of Clallam County’s Honoring Women’s Health Project. Go to www.komenpugetsound.org/grants/current-grant-recipients for the latest information on local organizations that have received funding from the Susan G. Komen foundation. Seventy-five percent of funds raised locally stay in the Puget Sound area. The remaining 25 percent goes to the national headquarters to fund research in fighting this disease.
Exercise dramatically increases the chance of survival of any type of cancer. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends exercise to help cancer patients in their rehabilitation.
Go Zumba
One fun source of exercise is Zumba Fitness.
As with any exercise program, check with your doctor before beginning. I have seen a dramatic increase in adherence to exercise since adding these fun classes to our schedule at the gym. Sequim Gym will host a "Party in Pink" on Oct. 23. Maureen Pfaff from Moe Motion Fitness, and a well-liked Zumba instructor, is a co-sponsor of the fundraising event.
You can donate by sponsoring a "Party in Pink" participant or through an entrance fee to the event. Preregistered participants may take two free Zumba classes at Sequim Gym to prepare for the big "party."
I encourage you to try other classes at the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center and Aspire Academy, as some of these Zumba instructors will be presenting as well. If you cannot finish the entire two-hour portion of the event, try joining in for a few songs.
The Zumba Fitness formula calls for a warm-up and a cool-down period and interval/recovery phases throughout the program. You will notice faster, more intense routines, followed by slower recovery routines, and then you will build to faster movements again.
Sequim’s Zumba Fitness ‘Party in Pink’
What: Registration, door prizes, raffle, snacks and two hours of Zumba Fitness
Hosted by: Kristin LaMoure, certified Zumba instructor
Co-sponsored by: Sequim Gym and Maureen Pfaff, Moe Motion Fitness
Time: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 23
Place: Olympic Theatre Arts Gathering Hall
Cost: $15 at door or through preregistration at Sequim Gym
Wear: Pink, comfortable clothing, supportive soft-soled shoes that pivot easily on a smooth floor.
Further donations to the Susan G. Komen Foundation gladly accepted at this event.
For more information, call LaMoure at 681-2555 or 477-1877, e-mail sequimgym@yahoo.com or call Pfaff through Moe Motion Fitness at 460-8615.
Kristin LaMoure is certified as a personal fitness trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. She has multiple specialty certifications, has participated in many fund-raising fitness events and has 20 years of exercise instruction experience. She owns and operates Sequim Gym. The purpose of "Bene-FIT of the Month" is to provide information about the event, give more information about the organization receiving the funds raised through the event and give general training advice and resources to prepare participants.
