Hundreds gathered at the Ottawa Athletic Club today for the annual Bust A Move Fundraising event.
The full-day fitness extravaganza raised more than $236,000 for cancer research, bringing the capital branch’s fundraising total over the last four years to more than $1 million.
“It’s an amazing fundraiser. There’s so much energy in this room, over two hundred people who are working hard and who have worked hard for weeks and months to raise money,” said Linda Eagen, the President and CEO of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
Participants were asked to raise at least $1,000 to take part in the six-hour dance-a-thon. The money raised will help fund local cancer research projects, and initiatives and will support cancer coaching at the Maplesoft Centre.
“It’s great. I’ve been sweating a lot, but it’s for a good cause,” said one participant.
The fundraiser was co-hosted by Olympian Elizabeth Manley and CTV Morning Live Host Melissa Lamb.
Manley, like many individuals at today’s event, has been personally touched by cancer. Her mother died of cancer, a motivating factor behind her decision to partake in the fundraiser.
“Everybody has just been so active and so into it,” she said. “And as you can tell, it’s so loud and crazy, but people are loving it.”
Sheila Swasson drove for two days to get to the capital for Bust A Move. There is no event in her hometown of Listuguj, Quebec.
“I took a little detour in Montreal, but it’s about 800 kilometers, so I drove around ten hours a day to get here, just for Bust A Move,” she said.
Swasson’s mother is a two-time cancer survivor. She said participating in Bust A Move is a way to honour her.
Bust A Move started in Halifax in 2010 and has since spread to cities across the country.
