Area breast cancer survivors invited to dancing fundraiser

By Elizabeth Marie Himchak

Breast cancer survivors are invited to participate in an inaugural ballroom dancing showcase fundraiser — an opportunity that includes eight free private dance lessons for them in Rancho Bernardo.

Dancing With the Survivors will feature up to six breast cancer survivors who will be partnered with a professional dancer for their performance. Though inspired by the television show “Dancing With the Stars,” Joseph Fusina, the area franchiser, said this is a showcase, not a competition. Each pair will perform a dance on Oct. 2.

The San Diego County event — one of 18 nationwide — is a partnership between Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios and The Pink Fund. It is designed to celebrate breast cancer survivors who are thriving in their recovery and want to make a difference in the lives of other cancer patients, according to organizers.

Since founded in 2006, The Pink Fund provides 90 days of non-medical financial assistance to breast cancer patients in active treatment. This can include paying for health insurance premiums, housing, transportation and utilities.

Three Fred Astaire studios — Rancho Bernardo, Oceanside and Clairemont — are coming together for this inaugural event. Fusina said he has space for one more participant at the Rancho Bernardo studio and two at the Oceanside studio. The six survivors selected by Aug. 15 do not need to live in the studios’ communities, just be willing to go to their location for the eight 45-minute private lessons. They will also receive as many group lessons as needed for free.

In exchange for the free lessons, the survivors — selected to participate after an interview with Fusina — are asked to raise at least $500 in donations through the

crowdrise.com

website. They are also responsible for purchasing their costume, which Fusina said does not need to be as elaborate as typically worn in ballroom dancing competitions. He said each pair of dancers will choose a costume based upon their style of dance and choreography, so costume expenses can be less than $100.

The Oct. 2 showcase is scheduled for the Oceanside studio, though the location could change, Fusina said. The hour-long event will include food, cocktails, raffles and brief taped interviews with the survivors to share their stories before they dance. Tickets are $35 and starting Aug. 15 can be purchased at www.thepinkfund.org.

Fusina said the showcase is an opportunity for those who have battled a life-threatening illness to do something they have not done before.

Stephanie Caponigro, The Pink Fund spokeswoman, said the inaugural nationwide event on Oct. 2 was inspired by a dancing showcase fundraiser held last year near Detroit.

Reasons for breast cancer survivors participating vary, she said. For some, learning ballroom dancing is on their bucket list.

“For some women who have had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, they have a new upper body and are getting back into their comfort zone expressing themselves with their body,” Caponigro said.

To be considered as a dancer at this year’s showcase, breast cancer survivors need to contact Fusina before Aug. 15. They can reach him at 858-829-9500 or josephfusina@aol.com.