Those driving past Dover Avenue Elementary School on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 8 may have noticed the signs for the Party in Pink and heard the loud dance music blaring from the open gym doors. However, one glance inside the gym demonstrated that this was not an average party. More than 45 participants, ranging in age from 6 to 70-something, were arrayed in varying shades of pink, wore pink bandanas and enjoyed refreshments of water and Subway apple packages while grooving to Latin and International music. It was a two-hour Party in Pink Zumbathon Charity Event to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure to fund breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

It was a fundraiser where everyone won, as more than $300 was generated for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and party guests benefitted from the ability to dance their way to good health and the chance to win nice door prizes donated by local businesses. Guests also received pink and white Zumba bandanas and breast health shower cards and information from the Northeast Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Mostly, the guests had fun. “I loved everything about it,” shared Samantha Sayre, 13, of New Philadelphia. “It was awesome!”

Sayre’s friend, Sydney Banks, 13, of New Philadelphia, agreed. Banks said she loved the Zumbathon and especially enjoyed the fast songs. Adult party in pink guest Trish White, of Dover, noted that her mother is a breast cancer survivor, and White likes to support any fundraiser that benefits breast cancer awareness. “Plus, I love Zumba, and I love to have fun,” she exclaimed.

Diana Felgenhauer, 65, of New Philadelphia, stated that you are never too old to “shake it.” She said that participating in Zumba workouts gives her energy. “You just feel so great when you’re done (with the workout),” she said. “I just love the energy and the passion the instructors put into Zumba.”

The Zumbathon was led by seven licensed Zumba instructors, including a trio of local instructors (Jen Demuth of New Philadelphia, Suzi Mason of Dover and Bonnie Smith of Dennison) and four guest instructors from Z Fitness of Girard. In addition to the Zumba songs, party guests also heard from three guest speakers who shared information during short breaks throughout the event. Breast cancer survivor Dr. Jennifer Ney, of Dover, noted that she’s seen patients ranging in age from their twenties to eighties diagnosed with breast cancer and shared that while breast cancer can be hereditary, about 80 percent of women who get the disease have no known family history.

Fourteen-year breast cancer survivor Karen Monticelli, of Dover, said she considers herself an overcomer rather than a survivor because she knows God helped see her through. She advised the guests to “go get your mammograms when you’re the right age.” Guest Zumba instructor and mammography technologist Kellie Charles also shared breast cancer education information. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide, with about 1.4 million new cases diagnosed each year.

“I want to thank all the businesses, party guests and instructors who helped to make our Party in Pink Zumbathon Charity Event possible,” shared Mason, organizer of the event. “We had a great time, and we hope to raise even more money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure next year.”

For more information about Zumba, visit http://www.zumba.com.