Zumba® “Party in Pink™” Initiative to Bring Kiwi’s Together Through Dance
Zumba® Instructors Kick-Start Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Local Zumbathon® Charity Events

New Zealand, October 2013 – Global fitness leader Zumba is encouraging local Auckland residents to “Party, Prevent and Prevail” this October by joining a “Party in Pink” Zumbathon event. This initiative, called “Party in Pink”, raises money toward via the Zumba Global Research Grant for Breast Cancer Prevention, in partnership with Susan G. Komen.

In 2013 it is estimated that 2,800 New Zealand women will be diagnosed with breast cancer[1].

To help raise funds Zumba instructors, Elaine Zafra Yu and Amelia Tan-Makhmalchi will be hosting a “Party in Pink” Zumbathon event on Friday 18 October at AMI Auckland Netball Centre from 7:00-8:30pm.

“The ‘Party in Pink’ campaign is one I am very proud to be involved in. Unfortunately most of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer, which is why it is so important for us to keep raising funds to assist research into breast cancer prevention so we can understand how to prevent this disease before it occurs,” said Elaine Zafra Yu.

“A Zumba class is the perfect platform to raise money as it promotes health and fitness and allows you to completely disconnect from the stresses of life for one hour. Everything about the Zumba experience is personal—from the decision to take that first class; to the relationships that grow between participants and their instructors; to the joy, happiness and improved quality of life that flows through the families of every class participant.”

“What makes the ‘Party in Pink’ campaign so special is that we are bringing together the community no matter what age or fitness level to have some fun, get fit, and by helping to fund research for a preventative solution to this critical disease, it is our hope that we will be able to touch—and ultimately save—millions of more lives,” added Elaine Zafra Yu.

Zumba’s ‘Party in Pink’ initiative is running throughout October and over the next three years is aiming to raise $3 million ($1 million each year) to help raise funds via the Zumba Global Research Grant for Breast Cancer Prevention, which will fund a study that will evaluate the effects of lignan found in flaxseed on pre-menopausal woman as a safe, low-cost, highly accessible solution to help prevent breast cancer on a global scale. Since 2010, more than $3 million already has been raised via the "Party in Pink™" initiative and the combined efforts of Zumba Fitness, its global network of licensed Instructors and Zumba fans.

Zumba Fitness will donate 75 percent of ticket sales from “Party in Pink” Zumbathon charity classes. All funds collected will be donated directly to Komen to support the Zumba Global Research Grant for Breast Cancer Prevention, with absolutely no administration fees from Komen or Zumba Fitness. The “Party in Pink” campaign is part of Zumba’s fundraising arm, “Zumba Love: Movin’ for Charity,” which advances global charitable causes by celebrating the joy of giving through dance, fitness, friendship and love.

To get find out more about the “Party in Pink” movement, visit http://zumbathon.zumba.com.

ENDS

[1] New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. (2013.) http://www.nzbcf.org.nz/OURFOCUS/AwarenessandEducation.aspx

© Scoop Media