Richard Simmons, Gloria Gaynor, Blake McGrath Boogie Down For PMHF's Dance To Conquer Cancer

By Karen Bliss 12/19/11 | www.samaritanmag.com

Disco Days and Boogie Nights
Put on your short-shorts and get ready to boogie - that is if you wanna have some fun on the dance floor for a good cause. Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation (PMHF) has scored the inimitable Richard Simmons to lead its first ever Dance To Conquer Cancer fundraiser on February 12. That's in the afternoon, then in the evening, disco queen Gloria Gaynor will be the guest performer at the Boogie Nights fundraising dinner and dance.

"Our goal is to conquer cancer in our lifetime," PMHF president and CEO said in a statement. "We hope that our Dance to Conquer Cancer fundraiser will inspire those touched by cancer, while offering people a one-of-a-kind, engaging event using the elements of dance and disco! It's a great way to start off the New Year with some fitness and family fun and support for an important cause." 

Taking place at the Paramount Conference and Event Centre in Woodbridge, Ont., just north of the city, Disco Days participants will move and groove to music from the 1970s and 1980s from noon until 4 p.m.

Simmons will lead an estimated 500 registrants to "Sweat to the Oldies" with his style of dancersize, while So You Think You Can Dance Canada choreographer Blake McGrath will lead a dance workshop and teach two disco dances for everyone to perform together.

There will also be a beauty bar for hair and makeup touch-ups, a shopping auction and a Tassimo latte bar.

Richard Simmons
At 6 p.m. Boogie Nights, the second portion of the fundraiser, begins, which includes dinner, more dancing and a live performance by Gaynor, best know for her hit "I Will Survive."

To register for Disco Days or to purchase tickets to Boogie Nights, please visit www.discodays.ca. The registration fee is $40 per person with a commitment of raising $500. Student registration is $20 with a commitment of raising $300, and Via Rail will offer participating students a free ride from anywhere in Ontario to attend the event.  Tickets for Boogie Nights only are $275 per person. 

In Canada, 40 percent of women and 45 percent of men will face a cancer diagnosis, according to PMHF. One of the unique elements of the Dance to Conquer Cancer fundraiser is that participants can choose to which area of cancer research they would like to allocate the funds they raise.

Sponsors include Apotex, RIOCAN, Crystal Light, eMbody Fitness, Popchips, Steps Count, Tassimo and Via Rail Canada. 

The PMHF raises over $70 million annually to support breakthrough research and patient care and education programs of Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Canada's leading cancer research hospital. 

Air Jordan

* Samaritanmag.com is an online magazine covering the good deeds of individuals, charities and businesses.