Pink Zumbathon Raises $2200 For Breast Cancer

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – This year it was personal.

For the past four years, Maritza Calderon has been helping raise awareness and monies for breast cancer during Newburgh’s Annual Zumbathon. A Zumba instructor, Calderon has always seen the strong, supportive link between her exercise passion and this brutal affliction, resulting in 1 in 8 women in her lifetime receiving a Breast Cancer diagnosis. A Latina, Calderon has further been on alert; Breast Cancer is the most common form of cancer among Hispanic women in the United States. Earlier this year, in May, that statistic hit home, as Calderon was diagnosed with the very cancer she has seen several of her friends relentlessly fight against over the years; that same cancer she has devoted countless, volunteer hours to help find a cure for and ultimately eliminate.

Sunday’s 5th Annual Pink Zumbathon, held at the City of Newburgh’s Armory, took on a whole new dimension for Calderon this year. Aided in her breast cancer journey by a couple of life-altering organizations, Calderon experienced first-hand, on the “other side,”  the potency of a helping hand.

“Yesterday’s event was personally and emotionally important; both Miles for Hope and Forget-U-Cancer were there for me, so I wanted to thank them,” said Calderon. “I wanted to stress at this event the importance of mammograms and self-examinations; both of these actions saved my life as well as the lives of many of my friends.”

One of those friends, a Zumba instructor, was recently diagnosed. The personal equation was now increased, and several zumba instructors jumped on board this year to assist Calderon with the well-attended Zumbathon. With a DJ spinning motivating tunes throughout the afternoon and a floor full of energetic, pink clad women gyrating and bouncing to the beat, the atmosphere became more and more electric, as all were joined in unity by the critical nature of the cause.

Outlining the perimeter of the Armory were a host of vendors, including; TouchStone Crystal, ISAGENIX, Stones, and Look Good Feel Better (a free program through the American Cancer Society to help beautify women battling Breast Cancer.) Each one of the business owners had a strong tie to the cause, whether personal or not, it resonated in a profound way.
“I’m here as a vendor, but it’s also personal; my Aunt, Betty Jean Bluford-Blakely, passed away from Breast Cancer,” said Sherrie Tillman, owner of Stones, an all-natural skin care company. “I try to get to as many events like this one as I can to help raise awareness.”
Crystal-Renna Lewis-Schraeder, owner of Crystal’s Cupcakes, also devoted her Sunday to something close to her heart.

“I’m here today to support cancer; I know many who have had it, and I want to give back and help find a cure,” said Lewis-Schraeder. “All the monies raised here today will go right back to Calderon, who will give it to the organizations that fight cancer.”
And those funds were substantial Sunday, tallying $2200. Donations are still being collected until the end of the month and can be sent to:PayPal.me/ZumbaPink.