Get ready to salsa, merengue and all around shake your booty for a good cause.
Local Zumba instructor Kerri Kelley will host her third annual Party in Pink, a Zumbathon charity event to raise money for breast cancer research, on Sunday, Oct. 14.
Zumba is a fitness program inspired by Latin and international dance moves, and the organization sponsors Party in Pink events worldwide. Proceeds of Kelley’s event, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Boston North Fitness, 30 Prince St., Danvers, will support Susan G. Komen For The Cure.
Last year’s event raised around $2,000 for the breast cancer charity.
Kelley, who is also a physical therapist, jumped on the idea to hold a local event three years ago.
“Breast cancer is important to everyone — men, women, children, it doesn’t matter. Age, race, gender — it crosses all those barriers,” she said. “What I try to do is have an overall experience where we celebrate survivors, we celebrate those who passed, and we celebrate family members.”
In addition to a 90-minute Zumba class, the event features informational booths including one on the Aurora Breast MRI at the Breast Health Center at Beverly Hospital Danvers, vendors such as Juice Plus and Mary Kay, and raffle prizes from several local businesses.
“We just want people to come out and dance and have a good time, buy a lot of raffle tickets and raise a lot of money,” said Laurie Lassiter, a student of Kelley’s who is also helping organize and promote the event.
The Zumbathon is particularly special for Lassiter, who has lost two friends to breast cancer in the last decade, and has family members who have battled other forms of the disease.
“It’s a community. We all support each other, and we want to make sure we fight these causes. This one’s really important to us,” she said.
Party in Pink, which attracts people of all Zumba experience levels, will be held in the fitness center’s basketball court. You do not have to be a member to participate. Three main instructors, including one who is a breast cancer survivor, will teach the marathon class.
And, of course, all are encouraged to wear pink.
“Even the men wear pink,” said Kelley.
Registration is $20, payable in advance or at the door. For more information, visit www.kkfitforlife.com and click on the “Party in Pink” tab, or visit the KK Fit For Life page on Facebook.
Join our breast cancer awareness campaign If you are holding a special event or fundraiser in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let us know about it. Your stories will be used in our special news coverage this month, both in print and online at salemnews.com. To share your story, or for more information, contact Cheryl Lecesse at clecesse@salemnews.com or 978-338-2664.
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