Dance Fitness Event Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Research

From Latin hits to summer 2012 chart-topper “Gangnam Style,” the music pulsing in the Science Center Plaza tent Saturday night electrified participants of the Zumbathon “Party in Pink for a Cure,” a dance charity event supporting breast cancer research.

Sponsored by the Center for Wellness at Harvard University Health Services, Party in Pink welcomed people of all levels, and participants were encouraged to donate $10. About 30 people cropped up at the start of the two-hour long dance fest, with more people trickling in as the night progressed.

Organizer Moira “Molly” R. Dillon, a Zumba instructor and fifth-year graduate student at Harvard, appeared unaffected by the brisk 50 degree weather in a bright pink tank top.

“Breast cancer awareness is close to me and a lot of my friends, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to try something new in the Zumba community,” Dillon said.

With October designated as breast cancer awareness month, Dillon selected the option to host a "Party in Pink," one of several offerings that dance fitness company Zumba provides to individuals wanting to host their own events.

The event is part of a worldwide call to action from Zumba Fitness, which partnered with nonprofit Susan G. Komen to raise money for breast cancer research. Thus far, $1.4 million has been raised out of a $3 million goal.

Dillon recruited some of her fellow Zumba instructors to volunteer their time, including Kymberlee M. O’Brien, who leads classes outdoors every week in coordination with the Center for Wellness.

Hanako I. Sawada, a student at the Graduate School of Education, heard about the event through the Center for Wellness website. She said she participated because she knows family members, as well as those of her friends, who have cancer.

“I think it’s a dual reason: for me to get out and get out of studying, but also to raise awareness,” Sawada said.

Another attendee Kelli A. Costello, an assistant director in the General Education program, said she has been doing Zumba for a couple of years.

“This is my first time coming to one of these events,” Costello said as she waited for the first song to begin. “I just hope it’s fun, and I hope I can make it the whole two hours.”

Dillon only began teaching in June after attending Zumba classes for three years.