Witches, vampires and ghosts are invited to dance the day away to their favorite pop hits and spooky Halloween favorites while helping support Metro East women in their fight against breast cancer.
On Saturday, Oct. 22, the START NOW Breast Health Services at Touchette Regional Hospitalwill host Zumbathon Spooktacular, a family-friendly Zumbathon to raise funds for the program, which raises awareness about early breast cancer detection and offers breast health services to uninsured and underserved women in St. Clair, Madison and Clinton counties.
Zumbathon Spooktacular will be held at Fairmont City Community Center, 4011 Cookson Road in Fairmont City, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $5 for children ages 5-12, $10 for adults in advance, and $12 at the door. The event serves up four non-stop hours of Zumba fun, complete with refreshments, light snacks, vendor booths, and giveaways. Free blood pressure screenings will also be available. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and dancers can participate in their entire for the entire marathon or come and go on their schedules.
Instructors for the day include Charice Manor, Casey Mulvany, Tishaunda Higgerson, and other surprise instructors.
Since 2008, START NOW program managers have helped more than 9,300 women in St. Clair, Madison and Clinton Counties navigate their healthcare options, secure transportation to and from appointments, and locate support services at no additional cost to them or their families. Thousands more have been impacted through free mammograms and breast cancer education.
“Exercise is an effective way to lower one’s risk of cancer,” said Debra Custer, START NOW program manager and treatment navigator. “By getting the entire family involved in activities like Zumba, we can improve health not just for women, but for their loved ones as well. And by raising funds through our events, we can help support those women facing their own battle with the disease.”
The START NOW program is funded through Susan G. Komen Missouri and the Avon Breast Health Outreach Program. For more information on the Zumbathon, call 618-332-6124 or 618-332-6128.