Zumba instructor Danielle Roberts is doing her part to raise money for breast cancer research.
Roberts, a Peabody native and Salem resident, is hosting a Party in Pink Zumbathon on Oct. 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Roller World on Route 1 in Saugus.
Zumba is a fitness program inspired by Latin and international dance moves, and the organization sponsors Party in Pink events worldwide.
Proceeds from Roberts’ event will support Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
“I think it’s a great cause,” said Roberts, who teaches Zumba in Peabody and Stoneham. “I have some students that are survivors.”
One of them is Rita Grillo, who was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. She underwent a bilateral, or double, mastectomy.
“I had to have eight rounds of chemotherapy,” Grillo said in an email. “Had lots of side effects from the chemo.”
While this is Roberts’ first year hosting a Party in Pink, she’s participated in others and is also helping other Zumba instructors with their own fundraising events.
Nine fellow Zumba instructors will join Roberts for her Oct. 28 event.
“I thought it would be fun to get my friends who I’ve networked with in Zumba to join with me,” she said.
In addition to the 90-minute Zumba class, the Party in Pink will feature raffles and Zumba gear for sale. Among the donated raffle prizes are a copy of “The Topless Muffin,” described as a book about women and their funny dieting strategies by Andover resident Sylvia Sasso, and a free consultation from Sasso.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information or to register, visit www.danielledroberts.com.
