Bust a Move for busts, New fundraiser takes over from annual Weekend to End Breast Cancer

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Michelle Nash

EMC news - A one-day event offering the chance to participate in a number of activities for people of all fitness levels, will give Ottawans a different way to raise money to support breast cancer awareness and treatment.

The Bust A Move campaign was launched on Jan. 23 at the Ottawa Athletic Club, encouraging residents to start to organize teams and raise money for breast cancer research. The April 21 event will also be replacing the annual Weekend to End Breast Cancer in Ottawa.

Bernice Rachkowksi is one of the event organizers and said this event is not to take away from the importance of the previous fundraising cause, but is simply a new way to support the same cause.

"All the money stays in Ottawa and is directed towards breast cancer health programs: reducing wait times, preventative programs, education and purchasing equipment all while you are having fun doing a fitness activity," Rachkowksi said.

According to Rachkowksi the event hopes to draw in the same participants and crowds the Weekend to End Breast Cancer has in the past.

"We are hoping people with teams that have participated in the weekend for a number of years will want to participate in this," Rachkowksi said.

Each entrant must raise $1,000 to participate, but can form teams for the event. All donations will be accepted on the ottawacancer.ca website.

HIT THE MAT

On the event day, Rachkowksi said there will be hundreds of people at the Ottawa Athletic Club participating in a number of different fitness activities, such as yoga or zumba. Everyone will get a yoga mat and then the fun will begin.

"It is going to be great. The vibe of the event is going to be amazing, imagine fabulous music, with about 500 people at the Ottawa Athletic Club," said Rachkowksi.

The Ottawa Athletic Club is just one of the 20 sponsors who are donating for the event to take place.

Being fit for the event is not a necessity, it is all based on personal levels of comfort and will offer participants the option to take a break, receive a massage or visit the market place that will be set up during the event.

Those interested in signing up for the event can go to ottawacancer.ca and click on the Bust A Move icon on the website.