October 10, 2011

Event will raise awareness, help fight cancer

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Carbondale community is coming together with a special event to raise awareness and help fight cancer.

The Student Recreation Center is partnering with The Business Leadership Council, a registered student organization, to host SIH Cancer Center:  Zumba Core for the CURE.  The ROTC is also participating in the event, which will be Oct. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center.  It will happen on Courts 4 and 5 and the community is welcome at this second annual fundraiser. 

“The purpose of this event is to raise awareness about cancer and bring together students and the community to join the fight and help ease the burden for cancer patients in Southern Illinois,” said Lynne Thompson, assistant director of Recreational Sports and Services. 

There are many ways to join in the fundraising effort to support the local community in the fight against breast cancer.  The council is recruiting students to participate in the event as well as sponsors. Students can find the sponsor tracking sheets on the Student Recreation Center website (http://www.reccenter.siu.edu/index.php/rssfitness/1196-zumba-core-for-the-cure).

While helping a worthwhile cause, students also have a chance to win cool prizes including massages, personal training, an iPod Touch, an iPod Shuffle and an iPad.  The basis for prize drawing entry is the level of donations brought in, so the more money a participant raises, the better the prize.

Banterra Bank is donating T-shirts that organizers will sell for $20 each with all proceeds going to the cause.  Participants will earn pledged funds as they perform the energetic dance exercise. 

The Student Recreation Center website also offers a way for everyone to get involved through restaurant partnerships.  Restaurant coupons are on the website.  Print them off and present them during one of the specified times and the restaurant will donate 10 percent of the proceeds to SIH to help fight cancer in Southern Illinois.

Here is the schedule for the restaurant promotions:

•  Tuesday, Oct. 11 -- Harbaugh’s Restaurant, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

•  Wednesday, Oct. 12 -- Subway (on Grand Avenue), all day

                                    --Tres Hombres, 5 p.m. until closing 

All proceeds of Zumba Core for the CURE will go to the SIH Cancer Foundation’s new Cancer Center Institute, an effort to address the needs of cancer patients close to home.

To pledge sponsorship, donate prizes for participants or learn more about Zumba Core for the CURE, contact Thompson at tlc2@siu.edu or 618/453-1275.  You can also mail donations, payable to SIH, to:  Zumba Core for the CURE, 300 E. Grand Ave., MC 6717, SIU Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901.